Updated
Updated · The Santa Rosa Press Democrat · Jun 5
Michael Gledhill Charged in 81-Year-Old Actor James Handy's Killing, Sent to Mental Health Court
Updated
Updated · The Santa Rosa Press Democrat · Jun 5

Michael Gledhill Charged in 81-Year-Old Actor James Handy's Killing, Sent to Mental Health Court

3 articles · Updated · The Santa Rosa Press Democrat · Jun 5

Summary

  • Michael Gledhill, 44, was charged with murder Friday in the fatal stabbing of actor James Handy, 81, and a judge ordered him to mental health court for psychological evaluations before any trial can proceed.
  • Los Angeles police say officers found Handy stabbed in the chest and unconscious outside his home Wednesday; he later died at a hospital.
  • Authorities said Gledhill—who was in a relationship conflict through his mother, Handy's partner—was arrested after telling police he was the person they were looking for.
  • A 911 caller said, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,” according to police; Gledhill did not appear at arraignment, entered no plea and had bail set at $2 million.
  • Handy, a longtime character actor, was known for roles in 1995's “Jumanji,” 2022's “Top Gun: Maverick” and TV dramas including “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “Cold Case.”

Insights

A cryptic 911 call followed the actor's murder. Was this a psychotic break or was there a more sinister motive?
He lived with his mom and her famous boyfriend. Did the pressures of a blended family lead to this deadly outcome?
The suspect stopped his schizophrenia medication a week earlier. Could our mental health system have prevented this tragedy?