In loving memory of Bethany Israel Provide by GoFundMe
Published: October 22, 2026
LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA – A Lakeville man convicted of brutally murdering his pregnant sister and her unborn child in May 2024 has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, bringing the criminal proceedings in one of Dakota County's most disturbing homicide cases to a conclusion.
Jack Joseph Ball, 25, was sentenced Thursday, October 22, by Dakota County District Court Judge Bryce A.D. Ehrman for the murders of his sister, 30-year-old Bethany Ann Israel, and her unborn child, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced. At prosecutors' request, Judge Ehrman ordered Ball to serve two life sentences consecutively, meaning the sentences will be served one after the other rather than simultaneously. Neither sentence carries the possibility of parole.
The sentencing follows an October 20th, 2026, verdict finding Ball guilty of one count of premeditated first-degree murder and one count of premeditated first-degree murder of an unborn child. Under Minnesota law, premeditated first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
In a statement following Thursday's sentencing, Keena condemned the brutality of the killings and acknowledged the lasting impact on Israel's family and the surrounding communities.
"The defendant’s actions were profoundly disturbing and incomprehensible in their cruelty. His conduct has devastated countless lives and inflicted trauma on our communities," Keena said.
"I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the investigation and prosecution of his horrific case. I also offer my deepest condolences to Bethany’s family, friends and all those who cherished her."
Murders Occurred During Visit to Brother's Lakeville Home
The case dates back to May 23, 2024, when Israel visited her brother's residence in Lakeville for dinner. According to court documents and information previously released by the Dakota County Attorney's Office, Israel arrived at Ball's home at approximately 6 p.m. When family members couldn't reach her later that evening, concerns grew about her whereabouts and safety.
At approximately 11 p.m., Israel and Ball's mother drove to the Lakeville residence to check on her daughter. As she approached the property, she reportedly observed Ball speeding away from the residence. Upon entering the home, she discovered a significant amount of blood and immediately called 911. Officers with the Lakeville Police Department responded to the residence and discovered evidence of an extremely violent attack.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators located multiple bloodied tools and knives inside the home, along with dismembered human remains. The discovery prompted an extensive homicide investigation that ultimately involved law enforcement activity in both Lakeville and neighboring Rosemount.
Police Locate Ball Following Separate 911 Call in Rosemount
While investigators were processing the crime scene at Ball's Lakeville residence, authorities received another 911 call from a resident in Rosemount. According to court documents, 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.
Law enforcement officers responded and began searching the surrounding neighborhood. Authorities subsequently located Ball in the backyard of a neighboring property. Investigators reported that Ball had sustained 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. The medical examiner also confirmed that Israel was approximately 17 to 18 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. The findings became central to the criminal case, which included separate murder charges for Israel and her unborn child.
Grand Jury Indictment Led to First-Degree Murder Charges
On January 9, 2025, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced that a grand jury had indicted Ball on four homicide charges. The indictment included two counts of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of intentional second-degree murder. The first-degree murder counts concerned the deaths of Israel and her unborn child.
The case proceeded through Dakota County District Court before ultimately reaching a bifurcated trial, a legal proceeding divided into two separate phases. During the first phase, on January 21, 2026, Ball pleaded guilty to one count of premeditated first-degree murder and one count of premeditated first-degree murder of an unborn child.
However, Ball also asserted a mental illness defense, requiring the court to conduct a second phase of the proceedings to determine whether he could be held criminally responsible for the killings.
Judge Rejects Mental Illness Defense
The second phase of Ball's trial focused on his claim that mental illness prevented him from being legally responsible for his actions. Under Minnesota law, a defendant asserting a mental illness defense must establish 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. The legal standard requires the defendant to establish the defense by a preponderance of the evidence. Following the second phase of the court trial, Judge Ehrman determined that Ball had not met his burden of proof.
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the court found Ball guilty of both premeditated first-degree murder counts. The Dakota County Attorney's Office did not provide additional details in its October 20th or October 22nd releases about the specific psychiatric evaluations, testimony, or evidence considered during the mental illness phase of the proceedings.
The rejection of the defense cleared the way for Thursday's sentencing.
Two Consecutive Life Sentences Without Parole
At Thursday's sentencing hearing in Hastings, prosecutors requested that Ball receive two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. Judge Ehrman granted that request.
The consecutive sentences reflect separate convictions for the murder of Israel and the murder of her unborn child. A consecutive sentence differs from a concurrent sentence, in which multiple prison terms are served at the same time. In Ball's case, the court ordered the two life sentences to run consecutively. Because both sentences are without the possibility of parole, Ball will not be eligible for release through parole. The sentencing concludes more than two years of criminal court proceedings stemming from the May 2024 killings.
The case began with a family member's discovery of blood inside a Lakeville home, expanded into an investigation involving evidence recovered in Rosemount, and ultimately resulted in a grand jury indictment, guilty pleas, a contested mental illness defense, and two first-degree murder convictions. Following the sentencing, Keena thanked those involved in the investigation and prosecution while emphasizing the impact of the killings on Israel's loved ones and the broader community.
Ball remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail while awaiting transfer to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, according to the Dakota County Attorney's Office. Once transferred, Ball will begin serving his two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
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
