Jury convicts Ginger Jefferson of killing her daughter-in-law

A Tama County jury only took two hours to find Ginger Jefferson guilty of killing her daughter-in-law last year.

Jefferson, 57, was found guilty of first-degree murder following a five-day trial. She faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. Her sentencing is set for July 14.

According to testimony during the trial, Jefferson stabbed Kerry O'Clair-Jefferson, 32, twice in the neck following a family argument Sept, 25, 2013. Jefferson was upset because O'Clair-Jefferson turned her husband, Dustin Jefferson, into police. He was wanted for sexual abuse in another case.

Witnesses during the trial testified Jefferson confessed to at least two people about the killing and one of them said she saw Jefferson with blood on her hands and helped her wash it off in her kitchen sink. There also was testimony regarding evidence found at the scene, including blood, that led back to Jefferson.

During the trial, the defense attempted to implicate Dustin Jefferson in the crime. After O'Clair-Jefferson called police to report her husband's whereabouts that day, police arrived about 10 minutes later and found Dustin Jefferson driving up to his cousin's home, 104 Harmon St. in Toledo, where the homicide happened.

Police testified Dustin Jefferson didn't immediately get out of the car and at one point, appeared to consider an escape but instead, he got out of the car and told them his wife might be dead.

Before the verdict was returned Tuesday, the Tama Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation arrested Dustin Jefferson in connection with a first-degree murder or aiding and abetting charge in the murder of his wife. He will be formally charged during an initial appearance 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Tama County District Court.

A criminal complaint will not be available until after the initial appearance, according to a news release from the Tama County Attorney's Office.