CLEVELAND — With his trial slated to begin later this month for murder of his pregnant sister and brother-in-law in Maple Heights, Jason Iverson has opted to change his plea to guilty.
According to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley, Iverson pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated murder, plus one count of felonious assault for shooting his 13-year-old son. He will be sentenced on April 17.
Court records show Iverson's trial was set to begin on March 25. He had been charged with 17 counts, including aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder, and felonious assault.
“Jason Iverson violently gunned down his sister, her unborn child, and his brother-in-law at a church picnic,” said O’Malley in a statement. “In the process, he shot at his own 13-year-old son, grazing him in the face. Iverson displayed a horrific level of violence that day and today’s conviction holds him accountable for that. My thoughts and prayers remain with the victims’ family during this time.”
Police said the deaths of 30-year-old Mercedes Iverson and her 31-year-old husband, Norbert Carter, came as a result a "family feud that turned into a deadly shooting" on Sept. 4, 2023 at Stafford Park in Maple Heights. Iverson's son was also grazed in the shooting.
Witnesses told police they heard shouting near parked cars before the suspect, identified as Iverson, shot his sister while her husband ran towards the pavilion. Iverson then chased after Carter before also gunning him down.
As Jason Iverson attempted to run away, officers caught up to him and took him into custody.
The 13-year-old was treated for a graze wound and released from the hospital.
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