In loving memory of Bethany Israel Provide by GoFundMe
Published: October 20, 2026
LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA – A Lakeville man has been found guilty of two counts of premeditated first-degree murder in connection with the brutal 2024 killing of his sister and her unborn child, following a Dakota County District Court trial that centered on his mental illness defense.
Jack Joseph Ball, 25, was found guilty in the deaths of his sister, 30-year-old Bethany Ann Israel, and her unborn child, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The verdict was issued by Dakota County District Court Judge Bryce A.D. Ehrman following a two-phase court trial in which Ball admitted to the killings but argued that he should not be held criminally responsible because of mental illness.
According to the Dakota County Attorney's Office, Ball pleaded guilty on January 21, 2026, to one count of premeditated first-degree murder and one count of premeditated first-degree murder of an unborn child during the first phase of the proceedings. However, the case proceeded to a second phase after Ball asserted a mental illness defense. Following consideration of that defense, the court determined Ball had failed to meet his burden of proof, resulting in guilty verdicts on both first-degree murder counts.
Ball remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail and is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, October 22, at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings, Minnesota.
Background: Sister Killed During Visit to Lakeville Home
The case stems from a violent incident on May 23, 2024, when Israel visited her brother's Lakeville residence for dinner. According to the criminal complaint and previously released information from the Dakota County Attorney's Office, Israel arrived at Ball's residence around 6 p.m. that evening.
As the night progressed, family members became concerned when they couldn't reach Israel. At approximately 11 p.m., the siblings' mother drove to Ball's residence to check on her daughter. When she arrived, she reportedly observed Ball speeding away from the home. Upon entering the residence, she discovered a significant amount of blood and immediately contacted 911.
Officers with the Lakeville Police Department responded to the residence and discovered evidence of an extremely violent attack. According to court documents, investigators located multiple bloodied tools and knives, along with dismembered human remains inside the home. The discovery prompted a homicide investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Investigation Leads Police to Rosemount
As officers investigated the Lakeville residence, authorities received a separate 911 call from a resident in nearby Rosemount. The resident reported that a home security camera had captured a man leaving what appeared to be a human body part on the front step of the residence.
Authorities subsequently searched the surrounding neighborhood and located Ball in the backyard of a neighboring property. Ball had sustained what investigators described as a self-inflicted injury to his neck. He was transported to a hospital for medical treatment before being taken into law enforcement custody.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office later determined that Israel died from complex homicidal violence. Investigators also confirmed that Israel was approximately 17 to 18 weeks pregnant when she was killed.
The deaths of Israel and her unborn child ultimately resulted in multiple homicide charges against Ball.
Grand Jury Indictment and Mental Illness Defense
On January 9, 2025, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced that a grand jury had indicted Ball on four homicide charges in connection with the killings. The indictment included two counts of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of intentional second-degree murder. The first-degree murder charges concerned the deaths of Israel and her unborn child.
The case subsequently proceeded through the Dakota County court system before reaching a bifurcated trial, a legal proceeding divided into separate phases to address different issues. In the first phase, Ball entered guilty pleas to both first-degree murder counts on January 21, 2026. The second phase focused on whether Ball could establish a legal defense based on mental illness.
Under Minnesota law, a mental illness defense requires more than evidence that a defendant experienced mental health problems. The defense generally requires proof that, because of mental illness or cognitive impairment, the defendant did not understand the nature of the act or that it was wrong at the time of the offense.
In Minnesota, a defendant asserting this defense must establish it by a preponderance of the evidence. According to Tuesday's announcement, Judge Ehrman determined that Ball had not met that burden. As a result, the court found Ball guilty of both counts of premeditated first-degree murder.
The Dakota County Attorney's Office did not provide additional details in Tuesday's release regarding the specific evidence or testimony presented during the mental illness phase of the trial.
Sentencing Scheduled for October 22nd
Ball is now awaiting sentencing on the two first-degree murder convictions. Under Minnesota law, a conviction for premeditated first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
The court is scheduled to formally sentence Ball on Thursday, October 22, at 1:30 p.m. at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings. Ball remains incarcerated at the Dakota County Jail pending that hearing.
The case marks a significant development in a homicide investigation that began more than two years ago with a family member's disturbing discovery at a Lakeville home and ultimately led to a grand jury indictment, guilty pleas, and an unsuccessful mental illness defense.
Limitless Media News will continue following the case and provide updates following Ball's scheduled sentencing on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Provided by Dakota County Jail
Our Additional Stories on this Incident: Lakeville Man Charged with Murder of His Sister and Her Unborn Child, Lakeville Police Investigating Suspected Homicide
A GoFundMe was set up to help support the family:
In loving memory of Bethany Israel
Written by: Will Wight
