Michael Jace claims that he had no intention of actually killing his wife, April Jace, in May 2014. The actor, who played a police officer on The Shield, told detectives immediately following the incident that he only wanted to wound her.
The latest development was revealed in a transcript, which was released during the star’s murder trial in L.A. on Thursday, May 26.
“I was just angry. All I intended to do was shoot her in the leg. And then I shot her in the leg and that was it,” Jace, 53, told detectives in 2014, via CBS. “I just ruined lives. Four lives. I mean, you could put the needle in my arm right now and be done. I’m fine with that.”
As previously reported, Jace called 911 after shooting his wife in the hallway of their L.A. home. Their two sons, then 8 and 5, were at the residence at the time. (Jace actually shot April three times.) In court on Thursday, their now 10-year-old son claimed that his dad said, “If you like running, then run to heaven,” before killing April.
According to the transcript, Jace alleged that his wife lunged at him before he fought back. His attorney, Jamon Hicks, claimed that the actor believed that she was having an affair.
Jace, who could face 50 years to life in prison if convicted, has had troubles before. According to the Associated Press, his ex-wife, Jennifer Bitterman, claimed in past court documents that he once slammed her head into a wall. Additionally, the TV actor filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2011.
