Man gets 15 to life in woman's murder

Jason Carter maintains his innocence and plans to appeal his conviction.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Tammy Brobst can't understand why Jason Carter would murder the woman who loved him and wanted to marry him.
Brobst is the sister of Jamie White, 41, of Berlin Center, whose body was found lying on Salt Springs Road beneath a bridge Jan. 1. She had been stabbed numerous times and died of a wound to her chest, authorities said.
Carter, 30, of Carroll Street, was convicted of her murder in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Friday, and, on Monday, Judge Maureen A. Sweeney handed him a mandatory sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
Pronouncement of sentence came after three members of White's family presented victim witness statements to the court.
Planned marriage
Brobst, calling Carter a "monster," said her sister was in love with him and planned to marry him. If he didn't want her, he should have just walked away -- not killed her, Brobst said.
Dustin White, 22, the oldest of White's five children, told the court of the fear and concern he felt in having to tell his 13-year-old brother that their mother had been murdered.
Carter has shown no remorse for the crime, he said.
Taylor White, a daughter of the victim, called Carter a "sick and twisted human being" who took away her mother and best friend in what she said was a jealous rage over a dead man.
She told the court that her mother would never see her graduate from school, get married and have children of her own.
Plans appeal
Carter declined to make any comment during the hearing. His attorney, Douglas B. Taylor, told the court that Carter maintains he is innocent of the murder and plans to appeal his conviction.
Martin P. Desmond, assistant county prosecutor, said he hopes the state parole board takes the victim witness statements into account if and when Carter becomes eligible for parole consideration.
Carter should never be paroled, Desmond said.
Judge Sweeney gave Carter credit for the 256 days he has spent in jail awaiting trial, which means he would be eligible for parole consideration in less than 15 years.
gwin@vindy.com