Ugly Betty actor arrested for murdering mother with samurai sword

Tuesday November 23, 2010.

According to local police neighbors were in ear shot while Ugly Betty actor Michael Brea killed his mother with a three-foot long samurai sword early Tuesday morning in their Brooklyn apartment.

Shortly after 1 a.m., the actor, Michael Brea, who appeared in the popular comedy series Ugly Betty asked his mother, Yannick Brea, “if she believed in God”.

When officers responded to the second-floor unit Ms. Brea was dead.

Michael was barricaded in a bedroom, holding the murder weapon. A Japanese style samurai sword. He was arrested and taken to Kings County Hospital for a psychological evaluation. He was charged later Tuesday with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

Neighbors reported Michael had been living in the apartment with his mother and twin brother, Marcel.  His brother was not at home during the attack.

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