LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A woman was sentenced Wednesday to 35 years to life in prison for shooting and killing a prominent film marketing consultant and social justice advocate.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kelly L. White imposed the maximum sentence based on Jamilah Elena Mihir’s guilty plea June 24 to one count each of first-degree murder and first-degree burglary in connection with the killing of Michael Latt in his Mid-Wilshire home.
Mihir admitted to breaking into Latt’s home in November and threatening him and his fiancee, Hannah Lovegood, with a gun. A 36-year-old woman who was living in a car was arrested at the scene, police said.
Prosecutors described the murder in Wednesday’s sentencing, saying that when Latto’s mother dropped by unexpectedly, Mihir shot him twice but the gun jammed, allowing his fiancee to escape.
Mihir had been stalking and threatening director A.V. Rockwell, who had several restraining orders against him. According to court documents, Mihir said he targeted Lat because he was a friend of Rockwell.
Latt is a consultant who runs a company focused on the social impact of film and entertainment, and has worked with many directors, including Ava DuVernay (“Selma”) and Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther”).
In a letter read out in court, the victim’s parents wrote that their son was “totally innocent” and that Mihir had broken into the house “because he wanted to hurt one of Michael’s friends”.
The family wrote that they are “still in shock that Michael was taken from us” and that “the pain will never go away.”
In her letter, Ms Lovegood said she was heartbroken by what had happened and described the tragedy as “serious”.
“Your actions have shattered my future and robbed me of the love of my life,” she wrote, addressing the defendant directly. “I hope you understand the gravity of your actions…”
In a statement read in court on her client’s behalf, lawyer Kimberly Wong said: “Ms Mihir has changed her plea to guilty in order to take responsibility for her actions and do the right thing for all involved.”
She noted her client had been homeless for nine months at the time and had suffered a number of traumatic events, and said Mihir was “deeply saddened” by the distress he had caused and hoped the change of charge for her would aid in the healing process.
Mihir will not be eligible for parole until he has served 35 years of his sentence.
City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.
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