Family of Slain Jewish Leader Samantha Woll Confident in Pursuing Justice Despite Legal Setback

 

The family of Samantha Woll, a well-known Jewish leader and political activist from Detroit, remains hopeful that justice will be served, despite a recent legal setback in the case against the man accused of her murder. A judge recently dropped a felony murder charge against the accused, Michael Jackson-Bolanos, citing a U.S. Supreme Court precedent.

Samantha Woll's murder in October 2023 shocked the Detroit community, particularly among the city's Jewish population, where she was a beloved and active figure. Jackson-Bolanos was accused of fatally stabbing Woll eight times during a home invasion. While a jury acquitted him of first-degree murder in July, they convicted him of lying to police and were deadlocked on charges of felony murder and home invasion.

However, Judge Margaret Van Houten dismissed the felony murder charge based on a Supreme Court ruling that prohibits retrying a person on charges that share the same elements as those of a charge for which they were acquitted. This decision has left Woll's family and many in the community reeling.

The case took several twists, including the arrest and subsequent release of Woll’s ex-boyfriend, Jeffrey Herbstman, who had initially called 911 claiming he might have killed her, a claim he later attributed to an adverse reaction to a new antidepressant and marijuana.

Despite the legal challenges, Woll's family remains steadfast in their belief that Jackson-Bolanos is guilty and that justice will eventually prevail. Prosecutors have indicated plans to appeal the judge's decision to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Monica Woll Rosen, Samantha’s sister, expressed her determination, stating, "Letting a murderer walk free based on a technicality just cannot be the reality of the situation, and I believe something will work out."

Samantha Woll, 40, was a deputy district manager for U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin and worked on the campaigns of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and State Senator Stephanie Chang. She also served as president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, where she played a key role in its recent renovation and grand reopening. Woll was known for her activism, including her involvement in Black Lives Matter and efforts to foster dialogue between Jewish and Muslim communities.

During the trial, Jackson-Bolanos testified that he found Woll’s body outside her home and fled, fearing he would be blamed for her death. Prosecutors argued that his admission came only after lying to police over 40 times. Despite his proximity to the crime scene, his defense attorney maintained his innocence and pointed to the police's initial suspicion of Woll’s ex-boyfriend.

Judge Van Houten sentenced Jackson-Bolanos to 18 months to 15 years in prison for lying to police, expressing her disagreement with the Supreme Court precedent that led to the dismissal of the murder charge. She emphasized that the jury likely did not realize their decision on the first-degree murder charge would preclude a retrial for felony murder.

Woll Rosen, unwavering in her conviction that Jackson-Bolanos is responsible for her sister’s death, vowed to continue seeking justice. "I believe there is a long road ahead," she said, "but we are going to keep fighting for justice for Sam."