'Ugly Betty' Actor Michael Brea Decapitates Mom With Sword, Cops Say
Ugly does not even begin to describe the homicide scene "Ugly Betty" actor Micheal Brea left behind after allegedly decapitating his mother with a sword. Police say the 31-year-old actor was said to be screaming bible verses and demanding that his mother "repent" before ultimately inflicting deadly lacerations on Yanick Brea, 55.
Police were called to the Brooklyn apartment where the slaying took place and ultimately arrested Brea (bible in hand) in a nearby room. Since news of the gruesome murder broke, ABC has insisted that Brea was by no means a star on their hit series. Rather they have characterized Michael Brea as a "guy in the background in one episode."
Distancing themselves from the actor is certainly understandable. The murder weapon used by Brea was a sword he had taken from a Masonic lodge earlier in the week. "Something happened that made him do it. The devil entered him," Brea's father told the New York Daily News.
Does the weapon matter when charging Brea? There is little question he will likely be charged with first degree murder and the fact that he used such an unconventional weapon may strengthen the charge because it shows that he knew what he was doing and thought about his actions. However, his bizarre behavior during the killing and after may lend itself to a potential insanity defense, although it is much too early to tell how this will all take shape.
Related Resources:
- Michael Brea Killed Mom With Sword (NY Daily News)
- Murder (FindLaw)