‘The Shield’ Actor Michael Jace’s Murder Trial Opens With Chilling Account of Wife’s Death

The murder trial of “The Shield” actor Michael Jace began Tuesday with the prosecution revealing a chilling line that Jace allegedly uttered while fatally shooting his wife.

During Tuesday’s trial in Los Angeles, deputy district attorney Tannaz Mokayef told the court that the actor said to his wife, April Jace, “You like to run so much, why don’t you try running to heaven” as he shot her, the New York Daily News reports.

According to Mokayef, Jace shot his wife three times, once in the back and twice in the legs, with the couple’s two sons in the house.

Also Read: 'The Shield' Star Michael Jace Pleads Not Guilty to Murder

Mokayef told the court that Michael Jace intended to shoot his wife because she wanted a divorce, describing the couple’s relationship as “a really sad story of obsession and control.”

During Tuesday’s trial opener, Jace’s attorney Jamon Hicks said that the actor takes responsibility for killing his wife, but the defense will focus heavily on the actor’ state of mind at the time, WRAL reports.

Jace was charged with murder in May 2014. He was arrested after calling the police to report that he had shot his wife. Police arrived to find the body of April Jace, who had been shot several times.

Jace’s two young sons were also at the scene.

Also Read: DA Charges 'Shield' Actor Michael Jace With Murder (Updated)

The actor faces 50 years to life if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty.

Jace, 53, is best known for playing a police officer on the FX drama “The Shield.” His other credits include “Southland,” 2001’s “Planet of the Apes” and “Forrest Gump.”

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'The Shield' Star Michael Jace Pleads Not Guilty to Murder

DA Charges 'Shield' Actor Michael Jace With Murder (Updated)