Man charged with murder convicted of lesser crime

WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) - After more than a day of deliberations, a Black Hawk County jury came back with a conviction for Jacob Hamilton.

Hamilton was originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of Zachary Drinovsky. But they jury returned a verdict on Friday morning of willful injury causing serious injury.

Investigators had said Hamilton shot and killed Drinovsky outside the Wagon Wheel Apartments in Hudson in July 2024.

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.

Testimony in his trial started on May 15.

A sentencing date hasn’t been set. Authorities led Hamilton away in handcuffs as he left the court room.