A man has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend’s mother and injuring her father. Hamza Smajlovic, a 25-year-old man from Iowa, was given this sentence last Friday without the possibility of parole after admitting to murder and attempted murder in October. Prosecutors in Polk County revealed that Smajlovic had previously assaulted his ex-girlfriend, Jasmyn Robison, prompting her to end their tumultuous relationship that lasted nearly a decade. On November 1, 2024, when Jasmyn’s parents, Tony and Ruth Robison, came to assist her in moving out, Smajlovic opened fire, resulting in the death of Mrs. Robison and severe injuries to Mr. Robison, who were both shot in the head.
During the sentencing hearing, Jasmyn and other members of the Robison family addressed the court, expressing their grief and memories of the brave actions taken by Ruth Robison to protect her daughter. Jasmyn directly confronted Smajlovic, expressing regret for ever meeting him and lamenting the lost time with her mother. She disclosed that she had not previously disclosed the extent of the abuse she suffered until she decided to leave. Smajlovic, in a moment of remorse, apologized to the family, acknowledging the ruin he caused not only to his own life but to many others as well.
In a poignant moment, Tony Robison shared a heartfelt poem written by his daughter Chayse, commemorating Ruth’s legacy and the enduring love she bestowed upon the world. Smajlovic, who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and attempted murder on the day of his scheduled trial, was handed a life sentence without parole, along with an additional 25 years for the shooting. District Judge Joseph Seidlin emphasized the gravity of the separate acts committed against the Robison couple, highlighting the devastating impact on both Ruth and Tony. The judge deemed the consecutive sentences as symbolic gestures reflecting the severity of the crimes and their profound repercussions on the family.