Jameelah Michl: Homeless woman who shot dead Hollywood consultant Michael Latt pleads not guilty

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jameelah Elena Michl, a 36-year-old homeless woman, entered a plea of not guilty on Monday, January 22, to charges of murder and burglary in the fatal shooting of Michael Latt, a prominent marketing consultant and founder of the social justice charity 'Lead with Love.'

Latt, 33, tragically lost his life after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds at his Mid-City home on November 27.

Timeline of Michael Latt's tragic shooting

The incident unfolded when Michl, armed with a semi-automatic firearm, reportedly knocked on Latt's door and forcefully entered the residence.

Latt was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Hannah Lovingood, Latt's fiancee, was present in the home during the tragic event.

Michl remained at the scene following the incident, leading to her subsequent arrest.

Prosecutors and court records suggest that Michl had been stalking and threatening director AV Rockwell, and targeted Latt due to his association with Rockwell.

Notably, restraining orders had been issued against Michl concerning her interactions with Rockwell.

What was the motive behind the shooting?

Latt, a well-known consultant in Hollywood, focused on social impact projects in film and entertainment. His work included collaborations with acclaimed directors such as Ryan Coogler and Ava DuVernay.

Michl's actions allegedly stemmed from a connection to Rockwell, whose latest film, 'A Thousand and One,' won accolades at the Sundance Film Festival.

The victim's mother, Michelle Satter, a founding director of the Sundance Institute, received an honorary Oscar for her humanitarian work shortly after the killing.

During the ceremony, Satter and directors Coogler and Chloe Zhao, whom she mentored, paid tribute to Latt.

Coogler remarked, "Michelle, you’ve changed our lives, but I do believe Michael was your greatest gift to the world."

Satter expressed a desire to share the award with her late son, emphasizing that he "led with love." If convicted, Michl faces the possibility of life in prison.