A son accused of killing his father, renowned opera singer Jubilant Sykes, called out for his mother during his first court appearance in Los Angeles this week.
Micah Sykes appeared on Thursday before Judge Theresa McGonigle, who ordered him held with bail in wake of his father’s murder, ABC 7 reported. She also issued a protective order banning Sykes from seeing his mother, who apparently witnessed the grisly killing of her husband.
In his request for no bond, Deputy District Attorney Cesar Rodriguez noted that 31-year-old Micah had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, adding that he was supposed to be “medicated” and was either under-medicated or disregarding his doctor’s orders at the time of his father’s death. He also said he was homeless, and that the only place he would could possibly stay would be at his parents’ house.
At one point during the proceedings, Micah called out, interrupting Rodriguez.
“I don’t see my mother here…” he said, per ABC 7. “This person’s not telling the truth whatsoever.”
Micah’s arraignment hearing was delayed until February at the defense’s request.
Authorities in Santa Monica were called on Monday to investigate a report of an “assault in progress” at a home in the 1700 block of Delaware Avenue. When they arrived on the scene, around 9:20 p.m., officers found the older Sykes suffering from “critical injuries consistent with a stabbing,” police said in a press release Tuesday.
Sykes was pronounced dead at the scene, while his son, who was found inside the residence, was taken into custody without incident.
A beloved baritone and Grammy nominee, Sykes graced the stages of some of world’s most respected venues over the course of his career, including Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera and the Apollo Theater in New York City.
