The Call That Started It All
911 dispatcher received a call around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday from a man who said, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin."
Veteran actor James Handy, 81, was stabbed to death in his Tarzana neighborhood. His girlfriend's son, Michael Gledhill, 44, was charged with murder after making a bizarre 911 call. Bail is set at $2 million.
911 dispatcher received a call around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday from a man who said, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin."
Officers from the LAPD West Valley area responded to a home in the 19200 block of Erwin Street in Tarzana. They found James Handy, 81, unconscious in the front yard with a stab wound to his chest.
The caller flagged down responding officers and told them he was the one they were looking for.
Handy was a veteran character actor with nearly 150 credits across five decades. Readers and viewers may recognize him from:
His talent agent, Pam Ellis-Evenas, confirmed his death in a statement.
"With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy," Ellis-Evenas said.
Actor Brian Delate, who knew Handy for more than 40 years, told The Associated Press that Handy had a great sense of humor and was always curious. Delate said Handy had mentioned in passing over the past few years that his girlfriend's son had mental health problems.
"I didn't think much of it, because he just kind of mentioned it casually," Delate said.
Michael Gledhill, 44, was arrested at the scene. According to the LAPD, Gledhill lived at the Tarzana residence with his mother, who was in a relationship with Handy.
Gledhill was booked into Van Nuys Jail on murder charges with bail set at $2 million. If convicted, he faces up to 26 years to life in prison, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.
Gledhill did not appear at an arraignment Friday afternoon in Los Angeles Superior Court. His attorney, Javier Trincado, told the judge that Gledhill is "unable to assist" in his defense.
Superior Court Judge John H. Reid ordered that Gledhill be sent to mental health court and undergo psychological evaluations. Another judge will decide whether he is competent for trial.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman released a statement about the killing.
"This is not how anyone's life should end, stabbed in the chest and left dying in the front yard of a home," Hochman said. "Handy deserved to enjoy his later years with his loved ones, and the person who took his life should be held accountable."
The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division, Valley Section, is handling the case. Detectives Simonyan and Lopez are asking anyone with additional information to contact them at (818) 374-9550.
Police have not released a motive for the attack. The bizarre biblical language in Gledhill's 911 call has not been explained by authorities.
Handy was transported by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
This article was generated with AI assistance.