Joseph "Jody" Hamilton (December 7, 1885 – December 21, 1906) was an American mass murderer who was executed in Missouri. On October 12, 1906, he murdered five members of the same family, including three young children, during an argument over a horse saddle. After his arrest, Hamilton pleaded guilty and was sentenced to death. Dismissing any offers for leniency, Hamilton was executed in December of that year.

Hamilton was the youngest of four children. His father, James Buchanan Hamilton, was a very religious Christian preacher who always carried a Bible. He was strict with his children, refusing to let them drink or square dance. The children were only allowed to sing hymns. James Hamilton was also known to have a bad temper.

Hamilton was known to have feared and respected his father. His mother died when he was 5 years old. Two years later, he was kicked in the head by a mule, giving him a permanent scar over his left eye. Several years later, Hamilton was taking care of mules when one kicked him in the chest, knocking him unconscious. When he was 12, a tree fell on him and almost broke his neck.