As the one-year anniversary of the murder of financial aid counselor April Jace approaches, her husband Michael Jace, who is charged with her murder, has yet to go to trial.
The Los Angeles Times reported that on the evening of Monday, May 19 Michael called 911 to tell the operator that he had just shot his wife. He also called April’s father telling him to come pick up the couple’s children because he had just shot April; her father also called 911 to report the shooting, according to a CBS News report on June 5. Neighbors had also heard the gunshots and called the authorities. April was pronounced dead on the scene.
Since April’s death, Michael has gone through a series of preliminary hearings and pre-trials, but a trial date has yet to be determined, said Jane Robinson, public information officer for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office.
Michael entered a plea of not guilty in an initial arraignment on June 18 and his bail was set at $2 million, according to a press release from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. However, Michael has remained in custody. After waiving his right to a preliminary hearing on August 1, Michael entered a formal plea at a second arraignment.
Michael will have another pre-trial on April 27. If Michael is convicted, he could be sentenced from 50 years to life in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s office’s press release.