Michael Jace apologises for wife’s murder as he gets 40 years to life

Actor Michael Jace has been ordered to spend 40 years to life in prison for murdering his wife.
The former The Shield star, who also appeared in Planet of the Apes, Boogie Nights, and Forrest Gump, shot and killed his wife during an argument at the couple’s Hyde Park, Los Angeles home in 2014, just feet away from their two young children.
He was found guilty of second-degree murder last month (May16) and on Friday (10Jun16), he was handed the lengthy sentence.
During the hearing, Jace broke his silence over his conviction and issued an apology for his actions.
“There is no justification for my actions on that night at all,” he said. “I am profoundly sorry for the pain that I have caused everyone – everyone who knew April and loved April. There is no replacing April.”
His statement prompted his estranged mother-in-law, Kay Henry, to storm out of the court room in disgust, reports the New York Daily News.
During last month’s hearing, Jace’s defence attorney, Jamon Hicks, conceded that the 53-year-old shot his wife once in the back and twice in the legs, but insisted his client would not have premeditated the shooting knowing that the children would be there, and therefore called for a voluntary manslaughter verdict.
The couple’s 10-year-old son, Nehemiah, testified in May (16), and told the court he saw his father drag his mother into a hallway near his bedroom, where she fell down.
The boy heard his father tell her, “If you like running, run to heaven”, before he shot her.
However, Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef argued the words “show premeditation”, adding, “Who is going to argue this is not an intent to kill?”
Mokayef also told jurors Jace was “obsessed” with his wife, April, who was seeking a divorce to end their marriage. The prosecutors also revealed the actor believed his wife was having an affair.