A Los Angeles County Deputy District attorney revealed that the 53-year-old actor said to his wife, 'You like to run so much, why don't you try running to heaven,' right before he shot her.
- May 25, 2016
AceShowbiz - The murder trial for "The Shield" actor Michael Jace, who's accused of shooting dead his wife two years ago, began on Tuesday, May 24 in Los Angeles. The prosecution revealed that the 53-year-old actor allegedly said a chilling line before shooting his wife April Jace, who's an avid runner.
Los Angeles County Deputy District attorney Tannaz Mokayef told the court that the actor said, "You like to run so much, why don't you try running to heaven," before he shot his wife three times, once in the back and twice in the legs. Their 8-year-old and 5-year-old sons were at the scene at the time of the shooting.
Mokayef told the jury that Michael shot his wife because she wanted a divorce, describing their marriage as "a really sad story of obsession and control." Michael was jobless and suffered financial problems when April asked for her freedom amid his accusations of infidelity.
In the morning before the shooting, April texted Michael, telling him that she was afraid to come home and she didn't want to see him "throwing things and breaking things and screaming lies to the boys." Michael then replied the message, lying that he wasn't at home and claiming that he's in his friend's house. However, according to prosecutor, Michael was "at home waiting with a loaded gun."
On May 19, 2014, Michael was arrested after calling the police to report that he had shot his wife. A day after the incident, he told investigators he considered using the gun on himself but didn't have the courage. "She lunged at me. I pushed her away, she spun, I fired and hit her in the lower back," Michael said, according to the excerpts.
The actor could face 50 years to life in prison if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty.
