Detroit Evening Report: Defense attorneys seek to dismiss remaining charges against man accused of killing Samantha Woll
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The booking photo of Michael Jackson-Bolanos, who has been charged with homicide in connection to the fatal stabbing of metro Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll.
The man accused of killing Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll could face a new trial on two charges.
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Last week, a jury found Detroit resident Michael Jackson-Bolanos not guilty of first-degree murder and guilty of lying to police officers in relation to Woll’s brutal murder last fall. However, the jury was unable to reach a consensus on the felony murder and home invasion charges.
A pre-trial hearing was held Thursday before Wayne County Circuit Judge Margaret Van Houten, as prosecutors consider whether to re-try Jackson-Bolanos for the two outstanding charges.
Defense attorneys for Jackson-Bolanos filed a motion to dismiss the charges on Wednesday, and prosecutors requested time to review the motion during Thursday’s hearing.
“Given the court’s schedule and given the nature of the motion, it does deserve some time to give a response and for the court to do its own research as well,” Van Houten said during the hearing on Thursday.
The judge asked prosecutors to file a response to the motion by Aug. 2, with a hearing on the motion to dismiss set for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 9. Jackson-Bolanos will be sentenced for the lying to police officers count that same day.
Defense attorney Brian Brown asked Van Houten if she’d be willing to entertain bond for his client, which she declined. As a habitual offender, Jackson-Bolanos faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for the lying to police officers conviction.
Defense lawyer Purna Krishnamoorthy launched a petition drive on Monday asking prosecutors to drop the remaining charges against her client and let him out of jail, which has amassed nearly 600 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.
WDET’s Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.
Other headlines for Thursday, July 25, 2024:
- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill this week that will prohibit criminal defense attorneys from using a victims sexual orientation or gender identity as a defense argument.
- Detroit Public Schools Community District is creating the Social Studies Student Think Tank to collect opinions on how the school system can create more representative course materials.
- Detroit Soccer Group BlackStar is partnering with Detroit City Football Club to host a variety of on-field events for players ages 7-18 this weekend.
- Ethiopian food pop-up Konjo Me is hosting an immersive Ethiopian cooking class at Café Prince in Core City on August 3.
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