It happened in the quiet of a Monday night in 2014. Most people knew Michael Jace as the stoic, conflicted Officer Julien Lowe from FX’s gritty police drama The Shield. He played a man of the law. He played a man who understood the weight of a badge. But on May 19, the fiction of the screen collided violently with a horrific reality in a South Los Angeles home. If you search for the black actor who killed his wife, Jace’s name is the one that anchors a tragic, complex story of domestic decay, financial ruin, and a final, fatal confrontation.
He didn't run. He didn't hide. After the shots rang out, he called 911 himself. He told the operator, with a chilling level of directness, that he had shot his wife.
When the LAPD arrived at the Hyde Park residence, they found April Jace dead. She was a well-liked financial aid counselor at Biola University. She was a mother. She was a runner. And according to the evidence that would later dominate a high-profile trial, she was a woman trying to leave a marriage that had turned toxic.
The Night Everything Broke
The details that emerged from the trial were gut-wrenching. This wasn't a "whodunit." Jace admitted to the shooting almost immediately. The legal battle centered on "intent." Was it a cold-blooded execution, or a momentary snap of a man losing his grip on reality?
The prosecution painted a picture of a calculated, jealous husband. Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef argued that Michael Jace was obsessed with the idea that April was cheating on him. He wasn't just angry; he was waiting. On that night, Jace waited for April to return home. When she walked through the door, he didn't just pull the trigger. He taunted her.
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According to testimony from their young son—who was only eight at the time—Jace told April, "If you like running so much, then run to heaven."
He shot her once in the back. Then, he shot her twice in the legs. The choice of targets was deliberate. It was a punishment. It was a way to ensure she could never run again. This wasn't a stray bullet or a struggle over a weapon. It was a sequence of events that left the jury with little room for doubt about the malice involved.
Behind the Screen: The Financial and Personal Collapse
People often wonder how a successful actor ends up in a position like this. You see the red carpet photos and you assume life is good. But for Jace, the "Shield" money was long gone. By 2014, his career had stalled significantly. He was facing crushing debt.
Records showed he had filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in 2011. He owed more than $500,000 on his home. He was behind on his taxes. He was struggling to find consistent work in an industry that moves on quickly. Honestly, the pressure of a collapsing lifestyle can do strange things to a person's psyche, though it never justifies violence.
While Jace’s defense team, led by attorney Jamon Hicks, tried to argue that Jace’s state of mind was compromised—that he only intended to "inflict pain" and not kill—the sheer brutality of the act outweighed the narrative of a "crime of passion."
A History of Patterns
It’s worth looking at the history here. During the trial, allegations of past domestic issues surfaced. His ex-wife, Jennifer Bitterman, had previously provided a declaration in a 1997 divorce filing alleging that Jace had been physically abusive toward her. She claimed he had choked and hit her.
These patterns are rarely isolated.
When we talk about the black actor who killed his wife, it’s easy to focus on the celebrity aspect. But beneath that is the reality of domestic abuse cycles that often go unnoticed because of a public-facing persona. Jace was a "nice guy" to many of his colleagues. He was professional. He was quiet.
The Trial and the Verdict
The trial lasted about a week. It wasn't long. The evidence was too heavy. The 911 call. The son’s testimony. The ballistics.
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In May 2016, a jury of six women and six men found Michael Jace guilty of second-degree murder. They didn't go for first-degree, which requires a higher level of premeditation, but they certainly didn't buy the "accidental" or "passion" defense either.
He was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.
- 15 years to life for the second-degree murder charge.
- An additional 25 years to life because he used a firearm to commit the crime.
Basically, at 53 years old when he was sentenced, it became a de facto life sentence. He is currently serving his time at the California State Prison in Corcoran.
The Impact on the Family
The real tragedy isn't about Jace's career or his fall from grace. It’s about the two boys who were in the house that night. They saw their mother die. They saw their father arrested. The Biola University community was also devastated. April Jace was described by her coworkers as a "radiant" person who helped students navigate the complexities of college life. She was the one who solved problems, not the one who caused them.
Why This Case Still Matters
Cases like Michael Jace's serve as a grim reminder that fame is no shield against mental health crises or the propensity for domestic violence. It also highlights the "gun culture" often discussed in high-profile cases. Jace used a revolver that belonged to April’s father.
There's a specific kind of public fascination with celebrities who commit violent crimes. We want to know "why." We look for the "breaking point." But sometimes, the answer is just a series of bad choices fueled by ego, jealousy, and a refusal to seek help when things go south.
If you’re looking for a takeaway from this tragedy, it’s the importance of recognizing the red flags of domestic escalating. Financial stress, isolation, and control-seeking behavior are almost always present before a weapon is ever drawn.
Actionable Insights and Resources
Understanding this case requires more than just reading about a celebrity downfall. It requires an awareness of the systems in place to prevent these tragedies.
- Recognize the Signs: Control over finances, monitoring movements, and isolating a partner from friends are key indicators of a dangerous domestic situation.
- Seek Intervention Early: If a relationship feels like a "pressure cooker," professional intervention or leaving is the only safe route.
- Domestic Violence Resources: If you or someone you know is in danger, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788.
- Legal Protections: Restraining orders are a tool, but they require a safety plan to go with them. Organizations like the Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment Appeals Project (DV LEAP) provide specialized support.
The story of Michael Jace is a dark chapter in Hollywood history, but for the family of April Jace, it is a lived reality. It serves as a stark warning that the most dangerous person in the room is sometimes the one you think you know best.
Next Steps for Awareness:
To better understand the complexities of domestic violence in high-pressure environments, research the "power and control wheel" used by sociologists to identify abusive patterns. Additionally, supporting local shelters that provide emergency housing for victims is a direct way to help prevent the escalation of domestic conflict in your own community.