Hammel to serve 10 years in jail

By Seth Boyes,

Daniel John Hammel

A Decorah man accused of trying to kill his mother pleaded guilty to all but the most serious charge against him and has received a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Daniel John Hammel was initially charged in April of 2024 with attempted murder, willful injury, first-degree harassment and domestic abuse/assault. Hammel initially pleaded not guilty to the charges as part of a filing in June of 2024, but the 28-year-old entered a new plea with the court on Feb. 4, pleading guilty to three of the counts against him — willful injury, first-degree harassment and domestic abuse/assault — with the expectation the attempted murder charge would be dismissed as part of a plea agreement. 

An initial criminal complaint filed against Hammel said he had been involved in a physical altercation with his mother around 10:45 a.m. April 26, 2024, at their shared address in the 1000 block of Bruening Drive in Decorah. The complaint alleged Hammel “made statements of wanting to kill the victim, while striking her in the head with a dumbbell.” The complaint went on to say Hammel’s mother sustained serious injuries to her head and defensive wounds to her arm.

A written statement from Hammel’s mother was read for the court during Tuesday’s sentencing. She told Hammel that, while a mother’s love is unconditional, he scared her that morning, saying her son seemed to “just snap” and adding that Hammel’s family would continue to be there for him.

“I can forgive but not forget,” she wrote. “I’m always thinking of you, how you’re doing and I miss you.”

Full article available in the February 20 Decorah Leader. 

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Diane Schulze
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5 days ago

Unfortunately 10 years is not long enough. Is he going to get professional help? He should have been held to attempting to murder her. He should have continued professional help after getting out.