Social justice advocate Michael Latt was shot dead in his home because of his friendship with a Hollywood director who was being stalked by an accused killer, according to prosecutors.
Jameelah Elena Michl, a 36-year-old homeless woman who lived out of her car, is accused of murdering a 33-year-old defense attorney and Hollywood marketing executive after forcing her way into her Mid-Wilshire home late Monday.
“He targeted her for being friends with a woman he had been stalking,” the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in an update Thursday.
Although the DA has not identified the woman being stalked, Latt’s fellow director AV Rockwell has taken out a restraining order against Michl, who had appeared as an extra in one of his films, “A Thousand and One.”
According to court documents, the suspect allegedly sent chilling letters to the director’s home — including one warning, “My Glock is loaded.”
Another person was at Latt’s home at the time he was killed, according to the DA, although it was not Rockwell, according to the Associated Press.
Social justice advocate Michael Latt (right) was allegedly killed for being friends with director AV Rockwell (center), who was stalked by the accused shooter. Getty Images for Focus Features Another person was in Latt’s home at the time he was killed, according to the DA, though it wasn’t Rockwell. ABC 7
Michl “allegedly knocked on the door, forcing himself into the residence once it was opened by one of the occupants” — then “shot and killed” Latt with a semi-automatic handgun, the DA said.
Latt is well-connected in Hollywood and has worked on projects with notable filmmakers such as Ryan Coogler and Ava DuVernay, as well as rapper Common.
His mother, Michelle Satter, is one of the founding directors of the Sundance Institute artist program, where she assisted Quentin Tarantino early in his career. His father, David Latt, is a film producer, and his brother is an agent.
She posted a photo with Rockwell and her mother at the Sundance Film Festival, where Rockwell’s film won the Grand Jury Prize. “Congratulations to @AVRockwell on your directorial debut, A Thousand and One,” the caption read.
Latt is well connected in Hollywood. Michael Latt / Instagram
Rockwell said in a court filing filed in June that Michl began stalking her after appearing as a background actress in the same movie.
After filming was completed, Michl sent the director a large gift box, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, and then called him to find a personal connection, court and official records show.
When Rockwell failed to respond to his proposals, Michl allegedly sent a chilling letter to the director’s home threatening to commit suicide, according to the filing.
“My Glock is loaded as I write this,” one of the notes read. “One pull of the trigger and I’ll be free,” according to court documents.
Michl sent at least five “extremely long and threatening emails and text messages” to Rockwell, repeatedly called her phone and approached her at public events, according to the filing.
Michael Latt’s family paid tribute on his Instagram page, saying he spent his career helping others, especially from minority groups. Michael Latt/Instagram
“As you continue to bask in the glory of ‘One Thousand and One,’ I want you to remember, and not forget, all the hell people went through to help bring your masterpiece to the screen,” Michl wrote in an April 29 email.
On May 3, Michl wrote again, threatening to take his own life.
“I took my Glock into Griffith Park and did not come out,” he wrote in an email, documents show.
Rockwell had the restraining order reissued several times, after complaining that he couldn’t eat or sleep, and suffered panic attacks “due to anxiety and fear for my safety,” according to court documents.
Michl remained at the scene of Monday’s fatal shooting and was arrested by police. His car that he lived in was seized as evidence.
He was charged with murder and burglary. His trial was continued until December 15, and prosecutors are asking for $3 million bail.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
