Just Plain Insane

Michael Jace | The Actor Who Murdered His Wife

Michael Jace, best known as Officer Julien Lowe on The Shield, shot and killed his wife, April Jace, inside their Los Angeles home on May 19, 2014 – then phoned for help as their two young sons were present, a domestic tragedy later punished with a 40-years-to-life sentence.

Michael-Jace-in-The-Shield
pic credit – mirror

American Murderer

Michael Jace | The Actor Who Murdered His Wife

Last Update December 23, 2025

  • Offender: Michael Andrew Jace (b. July 13, 1962)
  • Victim: April Jace (age 40), a beloved financial aid counselor and runner, mother of three children (two with Michael)
  • Crime date & place: May 19, 2014 – Hyde Park area, Los Angeles, California
  • Arrest / Charge: Arrested May 20, 2014; charged May 22, 2014 with murder (Los Angeles County) Wikipedia
  • Primary conviction: Second-degree murder (jury verdict May 31, 2016) ABC7 Los Angeles
  • Sentence: 40 years to life (15-to-life for murder + 25-to-life firearm enhancement), imposed June 10, 2016 FOX 35 Orlando+1
  • Current status: Incarcerated in the California state prison system (noted at Corcoran in 2022 filings) Supreme Court

Classification & Characteristics

Public-facing professional with a private pattern of control and escalating domestic violence. Prosecutors argued jealousy, financial strain, and possessiveness fueled the killing; trial evidence included Jace’s own words that he wanted April – an avid runner – “to feel some pain,” and a taunt allegedly said during the shooting: “If you like running, run to heaven.” Los Angeles Times+1

Organized, goal-directed violence in a domestic setting: the weapon was brought into the home, the attack focused on incapacitation and lethal harm, and the offender called family/911 afterward – behavior consistent with exerting control even as consequences closed in. ABC7 Los Angeles

→ Quick Answers

  • What did Michael Jace actually do? He shot and killed his wife, April, in their Los Angeles home on May 19, 2014. Justia
  • Did he call 911? Yes – Jace called 911; April’s father also called after receiving Jace’s message. ABC7 Los Angeles
  • Where is Michael Jace now? Serving 40-to-life in the California prison system (noted at Corcoran in 2022). Supreme Court
  • Earliest parole window? Roughly 2056 (40 years from 2016 sentencing, subject to credits/board decisions). FOX 35 Orlando

Timeline of the Michael Jace Case →

  • May 19, 2014 – The shooting: April is shot inside the family’s Hyde Park home after arriving with their children. Jace calls 911, and April’s father also calls after receiving Jace’s message. Police respond and arrest Jace. ABC7 Los Angeles+1
  • May 22, 2014 – Charge filed: Los Angeles County DA files a murder charge. Wikipedia
  • May 31, 2016 – Guilty verdict: Jury convicts Jace of second-degree murder. ABC7 Los Angeles
  • June 10, 2016 – Sentenced: 40 years to life. FOX 35 Orlando+1
  • 2019 – High-court review denied: California Supreme Court declines review of Jace’s conviction. biola.academicworks.com
  • Nov 2025 – Resentencing relief denied: State appellate panel again rejects his bid for resentencing/relief. FOX 35 Orlando

Case Summary

A marital breakdown—marked by finances, jealousy, and control – culminated in murder. Prosecutors said Jace ambushed April after a baseball practice run with their children, first shooting her in the back and then in the legs to cause pain. He admitted to police he wanted her to “feel some pain.” A jury found malice sufficient for second-degree murder; the court imposed 40-to-life. Los Angeles Times+1

🕊️Victim of Michael Jace

  • April Jace (1974–2014) – Financial aid counselor (Biola University), devoted mother, and competitive runner remembered for her faith, kindness, and impact on students and colleagues. Wikipedi

→ FAQs

Did the children of Michael Jace witness his crime?

Testimony indicated the two boys were home; one son recounted hearing their father’s words during the shooting. Los Angeles Times

What was the motive behind the murder of April Jace?

Prosecutors pointed to jealousy and control amid separation/financial stress; Jace told police he wanted her to “feel some pain.” Los Angeles Times

Was the murder of April Jace premeditated?

The jury chose second-degree murder (malice, not pre-planned first-degree). ABC7 Los Angeles

Has Michael Jace won any of his appeals?

No – California Supreme Court declined review (2019), and a 2025 appellate panel denied resentencing relief. biola.academicworks.com+1

Michael Jace | The Actor Who Murdered His Wife

👉The Story

A public face, a private fracture

To audiences, he was the soft-spoken cop on The Shield. At home, the marriage was failing. Texts the day of the killing showed April’s fear about returning to the house; prosecutors said control and jealousy were mounting.

May 19, 2014: Violence in Hyde Park

April returned with the children. What followed, jurors heard, were shots to her back and legs and a taunt about running – a cruelty tailored to the athlete he once professed to love. Los Angeles Times

Calls that changed everything

Jace phoned 911; April’s father called, too, after receiving Jace’s message that he had shot his daughter. Police converged on the Hyde Park address. ABC7 Los Angeles

Trial, verdict, and sentence

A Los Angeles jury convicted Jace of second-degree murder in 2016. The judge imposed 40-to-life: 15-to-life for the murder plus 25-to-life for the firearm enhancement. FOX 35 Orlando

Aftermath and remembrance

At Biola University and among April’s family and friends, memorials focused on her faith, work with students, and motherhood – insisting her story be told in her own light, not only as a victim. Wikipedia

Legal Status | Paper Trail | Michael A. Jace

  • Charging & Conviction: LA County murder charge (May 22, 2014); jury verdict for second-degree murder (May 31, 2016). Wikipedia+1
  • Sentence: 40 years to life—15-to-life plus 25-to-life firearm enhancement (June 10, 2016). FOX 35 Orlando
  • Direct appeal: People v. Jace (Cal. Ct. App. 2018)—conviction affirmed (case no. B276074). Biola University
  • California Supreme Court (2019): Petition for review denied. biola.academicworks.com
  • Resentencing/relief litigation: Appellate panel denies petition (Nov. 25, 2025). FOX 35 Orlando
  • Custody: CDCR—incarcerated in state prison; noted at Corcoran in 2022 declaration. Supreme Court

📚 Additional Resources

  • Los Angeles Times – Trial coverage & prosecution theory (opening statements): “Michael Jace taunted wife as he shot her…” Los Angeles Times
  • ABC7 Los Angeles – 911 call coverage (father-in-law’s call; Jace’s 911 admission noted) ABC7 Los Angeles
  • Hollywood Reporter – Sentencing (40-years-to-life) Hollywood Reporter

📚 Further Reading / Watching

  • NBC Los Angeles – Jace called 911 saying he shot his wife Justia
  • PEOPLE – Sentencing report & impact statements People.com
  • MyNewsLA – 2025 appellate ruling update FOX 35 Orlando
  • Biola University – Community remembrance for April Jace Wikipedia

Michael Jace | The Actor Who Murdered His Wife

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Beyond the Gavel

Roll Card – Snapshot

  • Defendant: Michael Andrew Jace
  • Case: People of the State of California v. Michael A. Jace (Los Angeles County)
  • Outcome: Second-degree murder conviction; 40-years-to-life sentence (June 10, 2016). FOX 35 Orlando

Docket Map – Proceedings (Condensed)

Stay / Warrant / Window

  • Not a capital case. Sentence is 40-years-to-life; earliest parole consideration projected around 2056, subject to CDCR credits and Board of Parole Hearings. FOX 35 Orlando

Case File Extras – What the Record Shows

  • 911 Audio coverage: ABC7 report on released call (father-in-law). ABC7 Los Angeles
  • Prosecution theory & quotes: LA Times trial coverage (shots to back/legs; taunt). Los Angeles Times
  • Sentencing details: FOX/FOX11 report (components of 40-to-life). FOX 35 Orlando

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