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Prosecutor vows to ‘press on’ after split verdicts in trial of Samantha Woll’s alleged killer

The jury acquitted the defendant of first-degree murder but was deadlocked on other charges, including felony murder.

Samantha Woll
JCRC/AJC board member Samantha Woll lighting candles in March 2018. Credit: Courtesy of JCRC/AJC.

A Wayne County, Mich., jury returned a mixed verdict on Thursday in the trial of a man accused of murdering Samantha Woll, a Jewish leader and well-connected Democratic Party activist, in Detroit on Oct. 21.

The jurors found Michael Jackson-Bolanos innocent of first-degree murder but were deadlocked on charges of felony murder and of home invasion, and found the defendant guilty of lying to police officers, the Detroit Free Press reported.

“We were hopeful that a decision could be reached today, but we will press on for justice for the Wolls and will determine our next course of action at the pre-trial hearing,” said Kym Worthy, the county prosecutor.

The pretrial hearing is slated for July 25, and prosecutors have to decide by next week whether to retry the case on the two remaining counts.

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