Former Ohio judge pleads guilty in ex-wife’s stabbing death

CLEVELAND (AP) — A former county judge in Cleveland has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing his ex-wife last year.

Lance Mason, 51, told a visiting judge today in a Cuyahoga County courtroom he wanted to “take responsibility for my crimes.” He pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, violating a protection order and grand theft.

Prosecutors say Mason fatally stabbed 45-year-old Aisha Fraser in the driveway of a Shaker Heights home last November after Fraser had dropped off their children.

Mason could be sentenced to life with no chance for parole.

Mason was removed as a judge in 2015 after pleading guilty to charges for striking and biting Fraser inside a vehicle. He served nine months of a two-year sentence.

Mason’s attorneys couldn’t be immediately reached for comment today.