Mason City man pleads guilty to second-degree murder

MASON CITY — A Mason City man charged with murdering another man in December of last year has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

52-year-old Frederick Olson was charged with first-degree murder after the death of 63-year-old Leroy White at a home located at 1916 South Grover Avenue in Mason City last December 18th. A criminal complaint states that Olson physically assaulted White, causing his death.

Olson’s trial was scheduled to start on November 18th, but a plea change hearing was held late Friday afternoon, with Olson pleading guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder, a Class B forcible felony. That carries a 50 year prison term with a mandatory minimum of 35 years, compared to a life in prison without the opportunity for parole sentence with the Class A murder charge.

Olson is scheduled to be sentenced on November 18th in Cerro Gordo County District Court.