Prosecutors: Son taunted father

Brian Carson begged his son for his life.

Jumped and beaten after entering his Elkhorn-area house, Carson pleaded with his son, prosecutors said today.

Ryan didn't want to hear it. Enraged at his dad for sleeping with his girlfriend, Ryan Carson asked his dad “How's it feel?” with every blow, prosecutor Brenda Beadle said.

“Brian Carson was saying, ‘I'm sorry, I'm sorry,'” Beadle said. “When he said he was sorry, Ryan Carson began to hit him even harder.”

Those details emerged as another of the Elkhorn Eight pleaded guilty to a charge in connection with the April 3 beating death of Brian Carson.

So far, four of the eight defendants charged in connection with Brian Carson's death have admitted their roles. Earlier this week, Brian Carson's estranged wife, Teresa Carson, pleaded guilty to being an accessory. Nicole Walker, who slept with both Ryan and Brian Carson, also has pleaded guilty to being an accessory.

And this morning, Ryan King, a family friend, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder for driving from Mississippi to help Ryan Carson kill his dad. In return, prosecutors dropped a first-degree murder charge.

King, 18, faces up to 50 years in prison when he is sentenced in January.

King was there but did not take part in the beating, Beadle said.

In interviews with police, however, King described the plot. He said Ryan Carson, who is awaiting trial, wanted to kill his dad. So Carson, King and Colton Novascone, drove overnight from Mississippi.

Beadle said they kept calling Teresa Carson to see where Brian Carson was. Teresa Carson denied knowing that her husband was going to be killed, though her daughter and King said she knew of the plan.

Once they arrived at the Carson's split-entry home, Sara Carson, 16, lured her dad there by calling him and suggesting he bring over his motorcycle.

Carson, King and Novascone hid in the basement.

Ryan Carson, 20, had a shovel. Novascone, 17, had a pipe wrench. And King said he had a fireplace poker.

When Brian Carson walked down the stairs, his son and Novascone jumped him, King said.

King said Ryan Carson kept punching his dad. As the two struggled to the floor, Carson called out to Novascone for help. Novascone hit Brian Carson in the head two or three times with the wrench.

Once the beating began, King told investigators, Sara Carson began to cry upstairs. Ryan King said he rushed upstairs to comfort her, Beadle said.

Both Novascone and Ryan Carson have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

Contact the writer:

444-1275, todd.cooper@owh.com

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