DETROIT – The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday, Dec. 13, that charges will be filed in the murder of Samantha Woll.
The announcement of charges marks significant movement in the case, which began nearly two months ago.
Woll, a well-known leader in Detroit’s Jewish community, was found stabbed to death outside her home Oct. 21. According to authorities, 40-year-old Woll returned home from a wedding and was found unresponsive outside her home about six hours later.
Investigators reportedly found a “trail of blood” leading from her home to where she was found.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that 28-year-old Michael Manuel Jackson-Bolanos has been charged with homicide felony murder.
Officials said the murder occurred during a home invasion and there was no indication that they knew each other. Police said he was a person of interest connected to several burglaries in the area.
Jackson-Bolanos will also be charged with home invasion and lying to a peace officer.
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC, believes the police when they say it was not a hate crime.
“I am relieved, not as relieved as I thought I would be because it’s just so painful that anyone would kill someone like Samantha Woll,” said Lopatin. “Hopefully, this will bring some sort of closure, and then we can focus on her amazing legacy.”
The approval of charges narrowly made it in within the 72 hours authorities could hold someone without charges.
Police did make an arrest in November, but that suspect was later released. Worthy confirmed that person was not Jackson-Bolanos.
Jackson-Bolanos has hired criminal defense attorney Brian Brown.
Brown said his client pleaded not guilty and looks forward to having his day in court.
“I’ve spoken to my client, he’s denying all allegations, and I believe he may be a victim of circumstance,” said Brown.
Brown pointed to the previous arrest made in the case and believes police once again have arrested the wrong person.
If convicted, Jackson-Bolanos faces the possibility of life in prison.
Further details will be revealed during the trial. He is expected to return to court for a probable cause hearing Dec. 27.
“Our family is sincerely grateful to the hard-working women and men of the DPD Homicide Task Force who worked around the clock for weeks to thoroughly investigate this tragic crime. Through their dedication and tireless efforts, we firmly believe that they have successfully solved this senseless crime. We cannot thank them enough.
We would also like to thank everyone for their support and prayers. Samantha‘s death is an unspeakable tragedy that has affected not only her family and friends but also those who knew her as a devoted community activist, leader, and bridge builder. She was loved deeply, and her light spread far and wide. We kindly request that the media respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
Statement from members of the Woll family