CLEVELAND — The man accused of murdering his pregnant sister and brother-in-law earlier this month in Maple Heights was arraigned in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court on Friday.
Jason D. Iverson, 29, pleaded not guilty to 17 counts, including aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder, and felonious assault. He is being held without bond. A pre-trial hearing has been set for October 2 at 9 a.m.
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 Labor Day afternoon at Stafford Park in Maple Heights. In addition, a 13-year-old was grazed by a bullet.
Witnesses told police they heard shouting near parked cars before the suspect, identified as Jason 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.
There was a church event happening in the park at the same time as the shooting. While the two events were not connected, police said the overlap led to a "chaotic" scene as the park was full of people for the holiday when the gunshots rang out.
"The kids were terrified. It was a lot of kids that were still standing behind trees after it was over. They just wouldn't move, they were still shaking and crying," said Tyrone White.
White said he was cooking for the large church event at the park and saw the whole scene unfold. He told 3News' Bri Buckley that he ran into Carter just before he was tragically killed.
"By the time I stepped in the restroom, the gentleman (Carter) went into the restroom as well, saying to me, 'don't let him hurt me, don't let him hurt me,'" White said.
