Dustin Jefferson charged with first-degree murder

A Tama man was charged Wednesday in the fatal stabbing of his wife last year, a day after his mother was convicted in the homicide.

Dustin Jefferson, 38, was charged with first-degree murder during an initial appearance in Tama County District Court. He is accused of killing Kerry O'Clair Jefferson, 32, who died from two stab wounds to her neck Sept. 25, 2013. Jefferson is accused of killing his wife or aiding and abetting in the crime, according to the criminal complaint.

If convicted, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Tama County Magistrate Richard Vander Mey set a $1 million cash only bond for Jefferson. His preliminary hearing is set June 6.

Jefferson didn't speak during the hearing, except to tell the judge he would seek a court appointed attorney.

His mother Ginger Jefferson, 57, was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder in O'Clair Jefferson's homicide.

Tama County Attorney Brent Heeren after the hearing declined to provide further details regarding Jefferson's charge. He did say he might provide more information later.

Several of O'Clair Jefferson's family members attended the hearing but declined to comment.

Jefferson was arrested Tuesday, just before the verdict for his mother was returned.

During her trial, the defense attempted to implicate Jefferson's involvement or that he had knowledge of the crime.

According to testimony, O'Clair Jefferson called police to report where to find her husband who was wanted on a warrant for sexual abuse in another case. When police arrived about 10 minutes later, they found Dustin Jefferson driving up to his cousin's home, 104 Harmon St. in Tama, where the homicide happened.

Police testified 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. One officer also testified he had blood on his clothing.

According to testimony, Ginger Jefferson confessed to at least two people that she stabbed O'Clair Jefferson twice in the neck during a family quarrel regarding O'Clair Jefferson calling police to inform them where Jefferson was that day. There was also evidence found at the scene connecting her to the homicide.

Jefferson is currently in custody pending trial in the sex abuse case in which he is charged with five counts of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor May 1, 2013. That trial is set Oct. 13. If convicted of those charges, he faces up to 50 years in prison.