Los Angeles Police Department broke into an iPhone 5S thanks to a “forensic cellphone expert” who managed to overcome the system’s native lock configuration.
The hacking took place due to the suspicions that actor Michael Jace, accused of killing his wife, had an argument with her through text messages back in 2014. Apple had previously refused to help crack the iPhone of the San Bernardino shooter, arguing that they could not help in violating the privacy of their customers.
Where the FBI fell short, LAPD just went along
It is known that the iPhone 5C of the San Bernardino shooter had an older version of the security system; Jace’s wife iPhone 5S sports Secure Enclave technology, which provides an additional source of encryption so the device cannot be so easily hacked. Regarding the San Bernardino iPhone, the FBI was revealed to have paid just under $1 million to an anonymous group of hacking specialists in order to access the device.
Since the iPhone involved in April Jace’s murder case was probably running iOS 7 instead of the more recent iOS 8, it is very likely that the only thing protecting the phone from unrestricted access was its standard passcode lock.
April Jace’s murder
51-year old Michael Jace is currently being accused of shooting and killing his ex-wife, 40-year old April Jace, in front of their children in their Los Angeles home in May of 2014. The trial was paused due to the need of verifying whether the two had argued through text messages, which according to the defense and the prosecution, is one of the keys to solving the case.
Investigators state that they had argued “about their relationship” shortly before he shot and killed her. The request to hack April’s iPhone is due to a lack of motif in the killing. Michael Jace is known to have declared bankruptcy on 2011 and he had been reportedly late on his payments over the last six months.
After reportedly killing his wife, Michael Jace called April’s father to let him know that he shot her and that someone would need to pick up their kids; hours later he called 911 and surrendered to the police. Jace is facing 50 years to a lifetime in prison if he is convicted; he is currently being held in lieu of $2 million bail.
April Jace was found dead in the hallway of their home with several gunshot wounds. As Michael called the police at 8:30 he clearly said “I shot my wife.” Michael Jace interpreted Los Angeles Police Officer Julien Lowe on FX’s “The Shield” aired from 2002 to 2008.
Source: Daily News