COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Rep. Janine Boyd on Monday announced plans to introduce "Aisha's Law," a bill named after Aisha Fraser that would protect victims of domestic violence.
Fraser was allegedly murdered by her abusive ex-husband, former Cuyahoga County Judge Lance Mason, outside a Chagrin Boulevard home in November.
According to a news release issued by Boyd's office, the bill aims to reform Ohio's domestic violence laws by helping to identify high-risk situations that can lead to more violence. Boyd will hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon to provide more details on Aisha's Law.
Police say Mason stabbed Fraser outside the home as Fraser dropped off the couple's children for visitation Nov. 17. Fraser's body was found in the driveway and police say Mason stole her car before he rammed it into a police cruiser while trying to flee.
The couple had a violent past, with Mason pleading guilty to attempted felonious assault and domestic violence for attacking his wife in 2014. According to police, Mason punched Fraser 20 times and slammed her head against a car dashboard five times as they drove with their children. Mason served nine months in prison as a result.
According to court documents, Fraser sued Mason in civil court, and was awarded a $150,000 judgment as her injuries required reconstructive surgery.
The judge who granted Mason's release from prison said Fraser didn't oppose the decision because she was struggling financially.
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Mason, who was also a former state representative and state senator, was removed from his judge seat roughly a month after the incident, but Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson hired Mason to serve as the city’s director of minority business administration in 2017. The city fired Mason the day he was arrested for his wife's death.
Mason has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder charges in his wife's death with his next court appearance scheduled for March 7. Prosecutors have decided not to pursue the death penalty, meaning the harshest sentence Mason faces is life in prison without the possibility of parole.
