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‘The Shield’ Actor Michael Jace Sentenced To 40 Years-To-Life In 2014 Murder Of His Wife, April

By Joanna Jaguar
Published on: 05:53 PST, Jun 10, 2016

Actor Michael Jace, best known for his role as police officer Julien Lowe on the television series The Shield, has been sentenced on Friday to 40 years-to-life in prison for the 2014 shooting death of his wife, April Jace. April Jace was shot three times on May 19, 2014, in the Hyde Park home she shared with Michael. The former actor shot his wife in front of their two young sons.

On May 31, Michael Jace was convicted of second-degree murder by a jury of six men and six women that deliberated for less than three hours. He was also convicted of a special allegation charge for the use of a handgun. The second-degree murder charge carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, while the special allegation for the use of a handgun has a minimum sentence of 25 years.

In addition to the sentencing memo that laid out the murder and handgun charges, NBC Los Angeles reports that prosecutors also filed a Statement of View to be considered in any future parole hearings for Michael Jace.

“Defendant Jace is a volatile individual who displays unpredictable and irrational rage and he is prone to violence. Any discussion about parole for Defendant Jace must be considered with extreme caution.”

Attempting to paint a picture of a violent, and potential repeat offender, prosecutors also detailed the testimony of Jennifer Bitterman, ex-wife to Michael Jace, who told the court of Jace’s numerous violent outbursts against her, including choking, hitting, and throwing her against a wall in front of another woman, while Bitterman’s 6-month-old son cried in his crib. Wanting to discredit Jace’s ex-wife — who he divorced in 2003 — defense attorney Jamon Hicks told the court that Michael Jace had not exhibited any violent tendencies towards his wife, April, prior to murdering her in front of their children, adding that Bitterman’s allegations of abuse were never substantiated.

“Ms. Bitterman accuses Mr. Jace of domestic violence approximately 20 years ago but never filed a police report. Outside of this tragic killing, Mr. Jace has been a law-abiding citizen who has never been convicted or even arrested for a crime. This was truly an anomaly for Mr. Jace.”

During the sentencing, prosecutors also cited testimony from Michael Jace’s 10-year-old son who was present at the time of his mother’s murder. According to Press Enterprise, the young boy, Nehemiah, testified on Wednesday that he saw his father drag April Jace into a hallway where she fell to the floor.

“Then my dad said, ‘If you like running, run to heaven,’ and then he shot her.”

Following testimony from his and April Jace’s family, Michael told the court that there was “no justifications for my actions.” He also turned to family members present in the court and apologized to them.

The shooting allegedly happened after Michael Jace accused his wife of cheating. Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef said in her closing arguments that Jace was “obsessed” with April, and when she told him she wanted a divorce, he “snapped,” shooting his wife once in the back, and twice in the legs. Jace told officers after his arrest that he “wanted her to feel some pain” because she was a runner, and that all he originally intended to do was “just shoot her in the leg,” not kill her. Michael Jace had also originally told detectives that he had been drinking that day, and that he had also contemplated taking his own life.

The former The Shield actor, Michael Jace, will now spend at least the next 40 years behind bars, while his sons and the rest of his family, and April’s, attempt to pick up the pieces and make some semblance of a normal life after such a tragedy.

[AP Photo/Nick Ut, File]

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