Jameelah Elena Michl has been charged with murder in the death of Michael Latt.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the victim, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served for this heinous crime,” stated Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón today as the charges were made public.
The suspect in the studio consultant and activist Latt’s death on November 27 will face claims of one count of murder and one count of first-degree residential burglary with person present. If found guilty, 36-year-old Michl could be sentenced to spend the rest of her life behind bars.
The founder and CEO of Lead With Love and a communications and marketing advisor to the likes of Netflix, Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY, Warner Bros Pictures, Common, and Annapurna Pictures, Latt was shot by a semi-automatic handgun on Monday evening in his mid-Wilshire home. His fiancée, Hannah Lovingood, was in the residence at the time too.
Michael Latt, 33, died soon afterwards at a local hospital.
“Michl allegedly went to the victim’s residence on the 900 block of Alandele Avenue after she targeted him for being friends with a woman she had been stalking,” Gascón’s office said Thursday of the motive for the fatal shooting. “She allegedly knocked on the door, forcing herself into the residence once it was opened by one of the occupants.”
On a $3 million bail, the defendant is set to be arraigned on December 15, 2023 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in DTLA, the DA also revealed today.
Michl remained at the scene of the crime as 911 was called. The LAPD officers from the Wilshire division arrived soon and the allegedly homeless Michl was arrested without incident and taken into custody.
“Our hearts ache for the loss of a passionate advocate who believed in the principles of justice and equity within our criminal legal system,” DA Gascón exclaimed today. “It is devastating to see a life cut short, especially one dedicated to fighting for a more just society. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that the pursuit of justice is a collective responsibility that we must all share.”
The reelection seeking Gascón added: “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim during this incredibly difficult time. The violence that has taken place is not only an affront to the values we hold dear but also a stark reminder of the need to address the broader issues that contribute to such heartbreaking incidents.”
“As we mourn the loss of this bright soul, let us come together as a community to denounce violence and recommit ourselves to the principles of justice, equality, and compassion,” the LA County DA continued. “The pursuit of equity in the criminal legal system remains a steadfast goal, and we will continue our efforts to create a society where every individual is treated with dignity and fairness.”
Hollywood has been shocked by Latt’s death. That response is in part because of the man himself, his work, and the tragedy itself. As well, the response is because of Latt’s deep family ties throughout the industry.
Latt’s brother is Franklin Latt, who is CAA’s head of talent and the representative of top names. His mother is Michelle Satter, who will be honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at next year’s Governors Awards for her decades of work on behalf of the Sundance Institute.
