Lance Mason: 5 Quick Facts You Need to Know

Ohio DOC / Shaker Heights Schools

Lance Mason and his ex-wife Aisha Fraser.

A former Ohio judge and city manager in Cleveland is suspected of murdering his wife. Lance Mason, who spent time in jail after being convicted of domestic violence, was arrested after the death of Aisha Fraser, his home in Shaker Heights, authorities said.

Mason, a 51-year-old former judge of the 51-year-old Cuyahoga County Criminal Court, has not yet been charged with Fraser's death, but was arrested Saturday morning, according to Cleveland Plain Dealer . Three sources told the paper that Mason had been accused of fatally stabbing Fraser, a beloved teacher of Shaker Heights.

Mason was working for Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson as Director of Minority Business Development, but the city announced Saturday that Mason had been fired. He was hired for $ 45,000 a year after his release from prison following the 2014 Domestic Violence Conviction as part of Jackson's controversial move.

Fraser had filed for Mason's divorce and won a $ 150,000 civil suit, according to The Plain Dealer. The divorce case was still pending. The couple had two girls together. Lizette Jordan, a friend of Fraser and Mason, told the newspaper that she was not aware of the persistent problems. "The only problem they've ever had, it's when they quarreled about girls." He really liked these girls though, "Jordan said.

Here's what you need to know about Lance Mason and the death of Aisha Fraser:

1. Lance Mason is accused of killing Aisha Fraser in front of their children and then beating a policeman with his car while he was fleeing the scene

Lance Mason is accused of stabbing Aisha Fraser to death in front of their two daughters at Fraser's home in Shaker Heights, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. According to the newspaper, Mason was reportedly arrested after hitting his vehicle against a police officer's vehicle while he was fleeing. The mason and the officer were taken to the hospital, reports the Plain Dealer.

Fraser, 41, was a sixth grade teacher at Woodbury Elementary School and had been working in the Shaker Heights School District for 16 years. "Aisha illustrated the best of Shaker Heights teachers; intelligent, incredibly attentive to his students and colleagues, active in his profession and in our association. She is loved by many, "said Shaker Heights Teacher's Association.

In a statement, Shaker Heights director Stephen Wilkins said, "She touched so many lives of our children and we will miss her tremendously. His loss is unexpected and the impact of this news on our entire school community is unimaginable and profound. "

The teachers' association launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Fraser girls. Donations can be made here.

According to The Plain Dealer, Audrey, the daughter of the Mason family, has Down syndrome and underwent heart surgery at the age of 8 months when she was 11 years old. According to the newspaper's archives, the couple opened the Audrey chocolate factory to generate additional income for medical expenses and the eventual goal of hiring employees with Down syndrome.

Kelli Glass, who worked for Fraser as a babysitter for Audrey and her 8-year-old sister, told The Plain Dealer: "She was a very kind woman. She loved her job, she loved her children. His daughters were all his life. They are the most beautiful children you have ever seen. They are good children. Adorable."

2. He hit Fraser more than 20 times and banged his head against the dashboard of a car several times, fracturing his orbital bone, during the 2014 incident

Lance Mason after his arrest in 2014.

Lance Mason was accused of beating Aisha Fraser more than 20 times, then banging her head against the dashboard of a car at least five times, fracturing her orbital bone, during the night. 2014 incident, according to WKYC-TV.

The assault took place while the couple was driving to Shaker Heights. Their two daughters were in the car and witnessed the attack. Fraser's wounds required a rebuilding operation, the news channel reported.

Mason escaped from the scene of the attack and a member of his family called the police to tell him that he thought he was suicidal. Mason finally went to the police at his home in Shaker Heights.

During a search, the police found 2,500 rounds of ammunition, semi-automatic rifles, smoke grenades, a sword and a bulletproof vest, reported the Cleveland Plain Dealer at the time . According to the police, Mason had two shotguns, two semi-automatic rifles and two handguns. He was required to surrender these weapons after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges.

3. Mason saw himself banned from exercising the right or becoming a judge again and was sentenced to two years in prison but was only served 9 months after being excused from Fraser

After the 2014 incident, Mason pleaded guilty to domestic violence and attempted criminal assault charges. He was sentenced to two years in prison, reports WJW-TV. Mason was also banned from practicing law or becoming a judge again.

Mason was released from prison under judicial supervision after serving only 9 months. According to WJW, Mason reportedly wrote a letter of apology to his wife and children.

4. He graduated from Shaker Heights High School before attending the University of Michigan Law School and starting a career in politics and the legal field.

Lance Mason.

Mason is from Shaker Heights, Ohio, a graduate of Shaker Heights High School, according to a biography published on the University of Michigan's Law School website. After high school, Mason studied political science at the College of Wooster before graduating from law at the University of Michigan in 1992.

Mason was working at the US Department of Agriculture's Regulatory Division after graduating from law school, according to Crain's Cleveland. He later became deputy prosecutor in Cuyahoga County.

Mason embarked on politics in 1999 as an assistant of the United States of that time. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who had been his chief at the county attorney's office. In 2002, Mason was appointed to a vacancy in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was reelected to the 8th District in 2002 and 2004, then served a term in the Ohio Senate, representing the 25th district. He has also worked as a lawyer in private practice in the House and Senate.

Mason was named a judge at the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County in August 2008 by then Governor Ted Strickland. He resigned from his seat after his arrest in 2014.

5. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, who hired Mason in 2017, announced that the former judge was fired following his arrest and offered his condolences to Fraser's family.

Mason was no longer in the spotlight until August 2017, when he was hired by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson as director of minority business development for the city. The decision to hire Mason on 12 other candidates for the job in town was controversial, but Jackson defended his decision at the time, claiming Mason was the most qualified candidate.

After Mason's arrest on Saturday, the city issued a statement in which she announced her dismissal. In his statement, Jackson said, "I send my deepest condolences to Ms. Aisha Fraser's family, especially to her children." The city added that she would cooperate fully with the investigation. .

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