DES MOINES – This Iowa fisherman recognized with certificates by the department of natural resources for catching big fish will now be joining other big fish in the Big House after he shot his girlfriend’s parents while they were helping her escape his vile clutches.
On the day he was set to stand trial, a 25-year-old Iowa man pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree murder and attempted murder for shooting his former girlfriend’s parents.
Hamza Smajlovic (pictured at top) of Des Moines admitted to killing Ruth Robison, 45, of Urbandale and critically injuring Tony Robison on Nov. 1, 2024. Fundraiser is here.
“I grabbed the 9-millimeter and shot Ruth in the head,” he told District Judge Joseph Seidlin. He also said: “I believe after Ruth, I pointed the gun at Tony, and I shot him in the head as well.” He said he believed his intention was to kill both.
Evidence showed that in late October 2024, defendant had choked Jasmyn Robison in the home they shared at Northwest 51st Place in Des Moines. She decided to leave him. On Nov. 1, Tony and Ruth Robison were helping their daughter move out of the home when the defendant shot them.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 21. First-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Attempted murder carries a term of 25 years in prison, with a mandatory sentence of 17.5 years. As part of the plea agreement, the sentences would run concurrently.
In addition to the charges in which he pleaded, Mr. Smajlovic was originally charged with three counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and one count of domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorneys Nan Horvat and Olu Salami, with assistance by Lindsay Scott. The investigation was led by Deputy Jamie Aiken of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources at least twice gave this murderer certificates for catching fish in our waterways:
