Actor Michael Jace pleads not guilty in death of wife

LOS ANGELES - Actor Michael Jace has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the shooting death of his wife in their Los Angeles home.

In addition, a judge on Wednesday ordered Jace to stay away from his two young children and not contact them if he is eventually released on $2 million bail.

Police say Jace, 51, who played a police officer on the FX series "The Shield," shot and killed his wife April Jace, 40, in their home on May 19.

The couple's two young children were at home at the time of the shooting and were unharmed.

Police have not released a motive in the case but April Jace's family has called her death a senseless act of domestic violence, reports CBS Los Angeles.

Jace is due back in court on Aug. 1 for the possible start of a preliminary hearing.