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 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. Whatever I was going through, they didn't deserve for me to take it out on them. I wish that you could all forgive me one day."


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.
READ MORE: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/cri...




At 3News, we’re not here to tell you the news, we’re here to share the stories that you say matter most to you. Share your ideas, thoughts, concerns and engage in conversations about the communities in which we all call home.


Follow 3News on Social:


Facebook:   /     
Twitter:   / wkyc    
Instagram:   /     


Visit our site: https://www.wkyc.com/
And be sure to download our app here: https://wkyc.com/app