Hezekiah Hamilton, alleged Patzner murderer, has history of mental health problems
| Hamilton was considered for civil commitment twice since late 2008. |
A Star Tribune report details Hamilton's long history of criminal behavior and mental health problems.
Hamilton's criminal history begins with an arrest in September 2008 for carrying a weapon without a permit. Following that arrest, Hennepin County Judge Richard Hopper used a psychologist's report to conclude that Hamilton was mentally ill and a candidate for civil commitment.
Hamilton ultimately wasn't committed, but was ordered in late 2008 to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, take prescribed medication, avoid alcohol and nonprescribed drugs, and follow his social worker's plans.
Wrote Judge Hopper in a June 2009 court order that found Hamilton incompetent to stand trial on the weapons charge: "The defendant is not at risk of imminent harm to self or others."
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| Patzner, 22, was gunned down while delivering lasagna to a needy neighbor. |
Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan. In 2009, Hamiliton spent three months in northwestern Minnesota's Polk County Jail on charges of assault, terroristic threats, and domestic-assault strangulation, crimes committed while he was drunk. He was released and place on five years' probation.
The assault charges resulted in Hamilton being reconsidered for civil commitment, but commitment proceedings were again discontinued after a social worker reported in March 2010 that Hamilton was adhering to the terms of his probation and taking his meds.
It appears Hamilton was able to avoid additional scrapes with the law from 2010 until Monday, when he allegedly gunned down Patzner with two shots during an attempted bike robbery on the 3500 block of Fremont Ave. N.
Hamilton is currently being held in Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of being the triggerman who shot Patzner. Charges are expected to be filed today.
Previous coverage:
-- Hezekiah Hamilton arrested in connection with murder of Jody Patzner Jr.
-- North Minneapolis man, 22, shot to death during attempted bike robbery

































