RSSHollywood scandals run the gamut from adultery to assault to everything in between, but occasionally they involve accusations of the most scandalous of crimes: murder. Recently, actor Michael Jace, who starred in the police drama The Shield, was charged with the apparent murder of his own wife.
On May 19, authorities discovered Jace’s wife shot in her Los Angeles residence. Autopsy results revealed several gunshot wounds, and the L.A. coroner ended up calling the death a homicide.
Police believe the killing was related to domestic violence. Interestingly, there have been no reports of domestic incidents in the Jace household. However, a woman who claimed to be a friend of Jace’s first wife said back in 1997 that she had previously witnessed domestic violence between the two. In 2005, the actor had been going through a child custody ordeal and his then-wife’s friend had issued the claim in a sworn statement.
According to the friend, Jace hit the woman, choked her and even slammed her against a wall. The friend described his anger as out of control and called the episode “terrifying.” Jace and his second wife married in 2003.
Recently, Jace has experienced some financial difficulties, despite having acted in many projects over the years. In 2011 he filed for bankruptcy, and more recently he faulted on a mortgage that was over $410,000.
The Shield ended in 2008. Just a few years later, Jace cited an annual income of just $80,000; most of that was from residuals from prior acting work. At the time of his bankruptcy he cited his debts as around $500,000.
In incidents of alleged domestic violence, prosecutors will often look to precipitating stressors in a couple’s life that could have foreshadowed conflict. Still, financial stress is not unfamiliar to many L.A. residents and many across the country as well.
It’s important for defendants to know that, under California law, domestic violence can involve many different crimes, including battery, stalking, and elder abuse. Anyone accused of such offenses can actively seek out the counsel of an experienced domestic violence defense attorney. Call 310.286.1218 for a free initial consultation with the Law Offices of Jonathan I. Kelman.