Actor convicted of 2nd-degree murder in killing of wife
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Actor Michael Jace, who played a police officer on television, appeared during closing arguments during his trial at Los Angeles County Superior in Los Angeles on May 27. A jury convicted Jace of second-degree murder, today, in the 2014 shooting death of his wife in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES » A jury today convicted an actor who played a police officer on TV of second-degree murder in the shooting death of his wife that was partially witnessed by their two young sons.
The verdict in the trial of Michael Jace, who appeared on the FX series “The Shield,” came after a weeklong trial in which Los Angeles jurors were told the actor shot his wife April in the back and then twice in the legs with a revolver that belonged to her father.
Jace, 53, did not testify in his own defense. He told detectives soon after the attack that he had retrieved the gun to kill himself but couldn’t do it. Instead, he planned to shoot his wife, an avid runner, in the leg so she would feel pain, Jace told detectives in a recorded interview.
Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef told jurors the actor was waiting for his wife and he shot her in the back and taunted her before shooting each of her legs.
Jace’s 10-year-old son testified that he heard his father say, “‘If you like running, then run to heaven,’” before firing the second time.
Savoy Brown, an adult son of April Jace, said the family was pleased with the verdict. He said watching Jace has been difficult for the family, and said he is hoping the actor, who bit his bottom lip when the verdict was read but showed no other emotion, will show his feelings when he is sentenced.
Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef said the potential sentence would be 40 years to life in prison.
She said during the trial that the actor was upset that his wife wanted a divorce and believed she was having an affair, although no evidence was presented during the trial that she was cheating.
Jace’s attorney, Jamon Hicks, said his client is remorseful for killing his wife. He said the actor may speak during his sentencing hearing to express his remorse, but he wants to be respectful of April Jace’s family.
Hicks previously told jurors the actor accepted responsibility for killing his wife but should be convicted of voluntary manslaughter because he shot her in the heat of passion.
Jace also had small roles in films such as “Planet of the Apes,” ”Boogie Nights” and “Forrest Gump.”
He turned himself in to police after the shooting and has been jailed ever since.
April Jace, 40, was a financial aid counselor at Biola University.
22 responses to “Actor convicted of 2nd-degree murder in killing of wife”
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Why not first degree murder? He planned shooting her in the legs, waited for her and intended for her to die.
These days first degree murder in many places is reserved for truly heinous acts such as multiple homicides occurring in the same incident, a homicide occurring during the commission of a felony (rape, robbery, torture, kidnapping, etc.) and cases where the victim has “special status” such as a law enforcement officer or a child. The intention to cause severe injury or even death may or may not be a deciding factor; very often the specific charge is determined on a case-by-case basis.
California criminal law reserves first degree murder for premeditated homicide that must include at least one special circumstance contained in a list of special circumstances described in law.
Yes, you are correct. You sound as if you are an attorney with experience in criminal law.
Oh yeah, and for non-attornies, pre-meditation implies the very important point of criminal intent. To reach the test, it’s not enough to say “I could kill you.” It has to incorporate planning as to means, motive, and opportunity.
Cellodad – Yes, I practiced law in California, Oregon and Washington for years. My firm had a corporate (plaintiff defense) and criminal defense (almost all financial crimes) litigation practice.
I hope the coward is put away for a long time.
Narcissistic jacka@#!
Was his wife white of black?
If wife was black, where are the BLM folks?
If wife was white, then it is obvious why that detail was left out of the report.
Thanks Al, for making this an issue for all of us.
No, it’s not an issue for “all of us.” It’s only an issue for racist imbeciles.
You know Klastri, your intellect is established. ad hominem really isn’t necessary and sometimes distracts from some very apt arguments you make.
Actually, I don’t comment ad hominem. That comment was specifically directed at the main point of the argument, and it’s accurate.
It also helps generally to call out racists whenever possible.
I have my courtroom style and you have your courtroom style.
Cellodad,
Everyone posting here has agreed to the Terms of Service that precedes every discussion. It seems clear enough: “An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks.”
Yet, anyone spending only a couple of days browsing the comments can’t help but notice blatant violations that always remain unchallenged by the Star-Advertser. It’s one thing (and defensible) to call out libelous allegations and posters who have personally wronged you, but you know darn well unprovoked attacks are very common here.
It’s a related issue and a very dead horse I’m beating, but I’ll say it again: the many, many comments advocating homosexual prison rape as an appropriate punishment for certain crimes should make it obvious nobody’s home at the Star-Advertiser. Or, if your mind works a certain way, you might think this newspaper tacitly approves of prison rape.
So, Cellodad, you may as well let klastri have his say in any way he sees fit. Am I not right in believing nobody that really matters cares a whit?
DeltaDag – Do you think that adults need someone to police what they read or don’t read? Please …..
It could be a factor as a hate crime. So yes, race, sex, religion do play a role in crimes so additional charges could be added to the case.
What are you talking about? The man has already been convicted.
Like AL and BLM folks. You are right.
Very clever comeback. Very.
His wife was also black, therefore the BLM commies are not interested.
BlueEyedWhiteDevil – Commies? Did you just come out of a long coma?
BLM was started, and organized by Carl Dix, and REVCOM. Financed by Soros’s appendages.
BlueEyedWhiteDevil – Of course. We all know the many conspiracies against the white man. Right.