Son Accused of Killing Grammy-Nominated Opera Singer Jubilant Sykes Interrupts Judge with Comment About His Mom

The man accused of fatally stabbing his father, Grammy-nominated opera singer Jubilant Sykes, appeared in court on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Micah Sykes, 31, stood before a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, who ordered him held without bail in connection with the alleged killing of Jubilant, 71, at the family’s Santa Monica home on Monday, Dec. 8, KABC-TV reported.

During the hearing, Micah reportedly interrupted Deputy District Attorney Cesar Rodriguez, saying, “I don’t see my mother here… This person’s not telling the truth whatsoever,” according to the outlet. Micah has reportedly been ordered not to contact his mother, who authorities believe witnessed the stabbing.

Rodriguez told the court that some of Micah’s relatives were present and urged the judge to deny bail, citing what they described as Micah’s apparent schizophrenia diagnosis and allegations that he was not taking medication, KABC-TV reported.

KABC-TV said Micah’s arraignment was postponed to Feb. 11.

Micah was taken into custody on suspicion of homicide shortly after Santa Monica Police officers responded to the family’s home at about 9:20 p.m. Monday, according to a police press release. Investigators said Jubilant was found dead with multiple stab wounds.

Police described the stabbing as a domestic incident and said it appeared to be isolated, with “no ongoing threat to the community.” A weapon was recovered at the scene.

Jubilant, a baritone, earned a Grammy nomination for his performance in a 2009 recording of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass. He later performed at major venues including the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center.

The singer shared three sons with his wife, Cecelia, and collaborated with a wide range of well-known artists, including Julie Andrews, Josh Groban, Carlos Santana, and Brian Wilson, according to his website.