Former Ohio judge pleads guilty in murder of ex-wife: 'I wish to take responsibility for the crimes I have committed'

CLEVELAND (WJW) -- Former Cuyahoga County Judge Lance Mason plead guilty in the murder of his ex-wife Aisha Fraser Tuesday.

Mason, fighting back tears, said he wants to take responsibility for what he did and not put his family through any more pain.

“I want to admit my guilt and take responsibility,” Mason said during a plea hearing in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

He appeared to get emotional as the visiting judge questioned him about pleading guilty instead of going to trial.

“There was no way I was going to go to trial and have my daughter testify against me,” Mason told the visiting judge.

Mason, 51, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, violating a protection order and grand theft.

Police were called to a home in Shaker Heights on Nov. 17 and found Fraser, 45, dead in the driveway.

Investigators said while fleeing the scene, Mason rammed a police cruiser, injuring an officer.

In 2014, Mason pleaded guilty to domestic violence and attempted felonious assault after investigators said he punched and choked Fraser in front of their two young children.

He was sentenced to two years in prison and released after serving nine months. He was removed from the bench and suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Fraser was a beloved sixth-grade teacher at Woodbury Elementary School.