LOS ANGELES — A woman convicted of killing entertainment consultant and social justice advocate Michael Lett was sentenced Wednesday to 35 years to life in prison.
Prosecutors and police said Jamila Alena Mitchell had been stalking and threatening film director Avi Rockwell and targeted Lett because he was Rockwell’s friend. Mitchell pleaded guilty last month to charges of first-degree murder and first-degree burglary in connection with the November attack.
The public defender’s office, which represented Mitchell, confirmed his sentencing. The district attorney’s office did not immediately comment after Wednesday’s hearing.
Latt was a consultant whose company focused on social impact in film and entertainment. He worked with many others, including “Selma” director Ava DuVernay and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler, and his death was mourned across Hollywood.
Prosecutors alleged that Mitchell knocked on the door of Lat’s Los Angeles home on Nov. 27, 2023, forced her way inside and shot her with a semi-automatic handgun. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.
A few weeks later, Lett’s mother, Michelle Satter, received an Oscar for her contributions as founding director of the Sundance Institute, and her participation in the ceremony became a tribute to her son.
Coogler, who presented the award, called her son Sater’s “greatest gift to the world.” Sater told the audience she wanted to share the award with Lat, who always “led with love.”
Mitchell’s public defender, Kimberly Wong, read a statement for her client during Wednesday’s proceedings.
“Ms. Mitchell changed her plea to guilty to take responsibility for her actions and do the right thing for all concerned,” Wong told the court. “At the time of the shooting she had been homeless on the streets of Los Angeles for nine months and had suffered through a number of traumatic events. She is deeply saddened by the enormous suffering she has caused to so many people and hopes that her change in plea will help everyone heal and move forward.”
Wong declined to comment further on the matter.
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