Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES — A man charged with killing his father, Grammy-nominated opera singer Jubilant Sykes, in the family’s Santa Monica home last year has pleaded not guilty through his attorney.
Micah Sykes, 31, is charged with murder stemming from his 71-year-old father’s stabbing death last Dec. 8. He remains jailed without bail and is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom court Sept. 2.
A date is scheduled to be set then for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
The murder charge includes allegations that he used a deadly weapon, with the criminal complaint specifying a knife, garden shears and a barbell, and that he inflicted great bodily injury on a person 60 or older. He could face a maximum of life in prison if convicted as charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Louis Parise Jr. agreed Aug. 6 to allow the defendant’s mother — whom authorities said witnessed part of the attack — to have contact with her son.
“It’s been seven months since we’ve been able to communicate,” Cecelia Sykes told the judge, noting that she wants to be able to communicate with her son. “I feel totally comfortable and safe and would like that.”
The judge responded that he would respect her wishes and that he didn’t think it would harm the prosecution’s case.
In arguing for Sykes to be held without bail last December, Deputy District Attorney Cesar Rodriguez said the defendant had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was supposed to be “medicated,” but was either under- medicated or not following his doctor’s recommendation.
Police responded to the home at 18th Street and Delaware Avenue, east of Santa Monica College, after receiving a 911 call about an assault, according to Santa Monica police Lt. Lewis Gilmour.
The person who called — reported to be Sykes’ wife — directed officers into the home, where they found the singer with “significant injuries,” Gilmour said.
Jubilant Sykes was found in the home with injuries “consistent with a stabbing,” according to police.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, with his cause of death listed as multiple stab wounds, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s website.
Micah Sykes was found inside the home and taken into custody and booked at the Santa Monica Jail on suspicion of murder, police said.
“Our community continues to mourn the senseless loss of Jubilant Sykes, whose renowned baritone and legacy of music brought joy to the world,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement released shortly after the arraignment. “This horrific act of violence is a painful reminder of how older adults remain vulnerable to violence, even from those closest to them.”
The elder Sykes was a renowned baritone who has performed at top venues and with celebrated orchestras in America and abroad.
He was nominated for a Grammy for best classical album for his performance as the celebrant in the 2009 recording of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass.”
According to a biography on his website, Sykes has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Arena di Verona in Italy, the Apollo Theater and Hollywood Bowl.
Sykes performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, New York Philharmonic, London Symphony and the Boston Pops, among others. He has also collaborated with artists such as Josh Groban, Julie Andrews, Carlos Santana and Brian Wilson.
He appeared in the 2014 film “Freedom” playing an African slave, and appeared on stage in the play “Breath and Imagination” and in the musicals “Bloomer Girl” and “1776.” He lent his voice to the soundtrack for the 1990 baseball drama film “Pastime.”
According to the biography, he and his wife had three sons.
