WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – A man charged in a July 2024 Black Hawk County murder is set to be sentenced Friday.
Jacob Hamilton, 52, was originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of Zachary Drinovsky. But in May, a jury returned a lesser conviction of willful injury causing serious injury.
Investigators had said Hamilton shot and killed Zachary Drinovsky, 35, outside the Wagon Wheel Apartments in Hudson.
Hamilton claimed he shot Drinovsky in self-defense. He says Drinovsky kicked in his door and dragged him outside. But investigators say there were no signs of forced entry. Hamilton also had no injuries consistent with a struggle.
Ahead of the sentencing, Hamiton’s legal team filed 11 pages of letters from friends and family of Hamilton describing him as a caring, kind man.
Willful injury causing serious injury is a Class C Felony in Iowa law, punishable up to 10 years.
Hamilton has requested a new trial, arguing the jury’s verdict was contrary to the law and the weight of the evidence that Hamilton’s defense presented. This will also be considered Friday.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
