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NEW ULM - Randy Zimmerman entered a petition to plead guilty in the double-murder of Justin Reinarts and Tabitha Trescott, Monday.
Last November, a grand jury formally indicted Zimmerman with first-degree murder in the Nov. 2, 2025 deaths of Reinarts and Trescott. He was charged with breaking into the Hanska home of Reinarts and fatally shooting Reinarts and Trescott in the bedroom before fleeing. He was arrested in Louisa County, Iowa, and later indicted by a grand jury on counts of first-degree premeditated murder.
Court records indicate Zimmerman had a history of domestic assault convictions and was on probation at the time.
Zimmerman was initially charged with second-degree murder, but a grand jury investigation later in November added nine counts, including first- and second-degree murder charges.
In June, Zimmerman's Public Defender, Greg Handevidt filed a Rule 20 evaluation to determine if Zimmerman was mentally competent at the time of the crimes. The Rule 20 report was brought to the court Aug. 3 with the findings that Zimmerman was not mentally ill at the time of his alleged crime.
During Zimmerman's Monday, Aug. 17 omnibus hearing, the defense requested a Rule 15 petition to enter a guilty plea. Conditions of the plea would require Zimmerman to plead guilty to murder in the first degree with intent for Reinarts and murder in the first degree with a past pattern of domestic content for Trescott.
Each count carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment (30 years). The court will determine if the sentences are served concurrently or consecutively. Zimmerman will also be required to pay restitution to the victims.
As part of the plea deal, the State will dismiss the remaining counts of second-degree murder.
Brown County Attorney and lead prosecuting attorney Chuck Hanson said Zimmerman is expected to officially plead guilty on the record during the Monday, Oct. 5 sentencing.