Trial of Former Officer Accused of Killing Samuel Sterling’s Moved to Federal Court
UPDATE (8/26/24): Judge Hala Jarbou has ordered the trial of Brian Keely in the death of Samuel Sterling to be moved to federal court.
UPDATE (8/22/24): Kent County District Circuit Judge Amanda Sterkenberg announced Thursday that former Michigan State Police officer Brian Keely will stand trial for murder in the death of Samuel Sterling.
However, there is a chance that the trial could be moved. Earlier this week, Keely appeared in federal court where he and his attorney are hoping to convince a judge to move this case from district court to federal court. Judge Hala Jarbou heard arguments and saw evidence from both sides Wednesday. Jarbou is going over all of the evidence and should make a ruling in the coming days.
ORIGINAL STORY: Brian Keely, the former Michigan State Police officer who is accused of killing Samuel Sterling in Kentwood on April 17, will have to wait to find out if he will head to trial. Judge Amanda H. Sterkenberg announced after nearly four hours of testimony on Monday that she would need time to look over the findings in the case before making her final decision.
Back in late May, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Keely would be facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter in Sterling's death.
In June, Keely entered a not-guilty plea in a Kent County courtroom the day after he officially retired from the Michigan State Police.
Keely appeared in court again on Monday, August 12, for a probable cause hearing that was originally scheduled for June but was pushed back.
Sterling's mother, Andrica Cage, sat in the courtroom Monday, August 12, openly weeping when a video of the incident was played and Sterling could be heard calling out for help.
A live stream of the proceedings showed the family of Sterling and their supporters sitting on one side of the courtroom, while supporters and family of Keely sat on the other.
What Happened on the Day Samuel Sterling Was Killed?
On April 12, police located Sterling, who according to police was wanted on several felony warrants. He was spotted at a gas station at 52nd Street and Eastern Ave. When police approached, Sterling fled, eventually ending up in the parking lot of a Burger King. While many officers were pursuing Sterling on foot, others, including Keely pursued him in vehicles. It was in that parking lot that Sterling, driving an unmarked police vehicle, struck Sterling, pinning him up against an exterior wall of the business.
Sterling was transported to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.
The Kent County Medical Examiner officially ruled Sterling's death an accident, according to FOX-17.
There will be a Zoom on August. 22 at 3:30 p.m. during which Judge Sterkenberg will announce her decision.
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