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'The Shield' Actor Michael Jace Convicted Of Murdering His Wife

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Former "The Shield" actor Michael Jace was convicted of second-degree murder Tuesday for shooting his wife in front of their two young children.

Jurors deliberated for less than three hours over the course of two days before they reached a verdict.

Jace's lawyers acknowledged that he killed his wife April and argued that he should be convicted of voluntary manslaughter because it wasn't a premeditated act.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: Murder Trial Of Actor Michael Jace

A prosecutor, however, told jurors that Jace was upset because his wife wanted a divorce and shot her in the back before taunting her and shooting her in the legs two years ago.

Jace told detectives he didn't intend to kill his wife and only wanted to inflict pain.

The 53-year-old Jace is best known for his role as Los Angeles police Officer Julien Lowe in "The Shield." He has also appeared in such films as "Forrest Gump," "Boogie Nights" and "Planet of the Apes."

He faces up to 40 years to life in prison when he is sentenced June 10.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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