CLEVELAND — Jason Iverson, who pleaded guilty earlier this month for the 2023 murder of his pregnant sister and brother-in-law in Maple Heights, was sentence to life in prison without parole by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Richard Bell on Wednesday.
"Lives were taken, lives were destroyed," Bell said as he pronounced his sentence. "Anything less than life without parole would demean the seriousness of these multiple offenses."
Iverson pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated murder for the deaths of 30-year-old Mercedes Iverson, her 31-year-old husband Norbert Carter, and their unborn child, plus one count of felonious assault for shooting his own 13-year-old son. One of the aggravated murder charges included a three-year gun specification. He was sentenced to life without parole on each of the aggravated murder counts, plus 8-12 years for felonious assault.
"They deserved to live and I deserved to die that day," Iverson said as he broke down in tears during his statement prior to sentencing. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I tore everything apart. I destroyed a whole family that day. I did, and I deserve whatever punishment that’s coming towards me."
Iverson had originally been facing a total of 17 counts, including aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder, and felonious assault. The trial had been slated to start on March 25 before Iverson opted to change his plea to guilty.
"When I wake up tired I know it's because of the energy I spent hating you," said Antoinette Turner, the mother of Carter, to Iverson. "I know I will be forever tired because I will forever hate you. No, I don't forgive you."
You can watch Wednesday's sentencing hearing in the player below.
Police said the deaths of Mercedes Iverson and her husband 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 Iverson attempted to run away, officers caught up to him and took him into custody.
"Jason Iverson violently gunned down his sister, her unborn child, and his brother-in-law at a church picnic," said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley in a statement following Iverson's guilty plea. "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."
Previous Reporting:
- Jason Iverson pleads guilty to murdering pregnant sister, brother-in-law in Maple Heights Labor Day shooting
- Jason Iverson pleads not guilty to murder of pregnant sister, brother-in-law in Maple Heights park shooting
- Maple Heights residents, city leaders discuss safety concerns after recent deadly shootings
- Man accused of killing pregnant sister, brother-in-law in shooting at Maple Heights park