Mason City man sentenced to 50 years in prison for murder (AUDIO)

MASON CITY — A Mason City man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the death of a man in a Mason City home late last year.

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 stated that Olson physically assaulted White, causing his death.

County Attorney Carlyle Dalen says White’s death was a senseless crime. “In the state’s opinion, this is a tragedy. This is a man who lived in our community, didn’t hurt anybody, and was treated very unfairly. We do believe that pleading guilty to the murder in the second degree does take responsibility for the actions and for Leroy White’s death, so we do think that the resolution of this case is appropriate and we would ask that the court order the 50 years incarceration.”

Victim impact statements of three of White’s family members were read prior to sentencing by an employee of Crisis Intervention Service. White’s brother Jerry says Leroy White’s murder was devastating for their family.  “Never in my life did I think we could lose a family member by murder.  There are a lot of emotions going around and around, you’re not sure how to feel, shocked, hurt, anger, etc. When I learned of my brother’s murder, I became shocked and became empty wondering how someone could murder my brother and why, especially since my brother was harmless. He couldn’t hurt a flea. I don’t think like Fred Olson understands the devastation he has caused in this family and nor do I feel he cares.”

Jerry White says Olson could have easily not committed the crime. “Fred Olson had the option of walking away and being a free man today, but instead, he made a bad judgment call by murdering my brother. My only question I have will most likely never get answered — why? There’s much more than I can say but I won’t. I can speak many words but it’s still not going to bring my brother back to me.”

Olson did not speak prior to sentencing.

Olson had originally pleaded not guilty to the charge, but earlier this month he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder, a Class B forcible felony. That charge carries a mandatory 50-year prison term with a minimum of 35 years having to be served prior to any consideration for parole. That compares to a life prison sentence without the opportunity for parole with the Class A first-degree murder charge. Olson was also ordered to pay $150,000 restitution to White’s estate.

Listen back to today’s sentencing hearing via the audio player below.