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Samantha Woll stabbed eight times in face, neck

New details have emerged about the final moments of the Michigan leader.

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

36th District Judge Kenneth King rescheduled the next court date for convicted thief Michael Jackson-Bolanos, 28—the man prosecutors allege killed Detroit Jewish community leader Samantha Woll on Oct. 21—so that defense attorneys could receive evidence from prosecutors.

Jackson-Bolanos is now slated to appear in court on Jan. 2 for a probable cause hearing. Evidence for the defendant’s legal team to consider include his coat stained with Woll’s blood.

Ryan Elsey, the assistant prosecutor for Michigan’s Wayne County, said the murder of Woll appeared to happen at around 4:20 a.m. when she was likely sleeping in her living room after returning from a wedding. Her killer stabbed her face and neck eight times after entering through an unlocked door.

Jackson-Bolanos faces counts of felony murder, first-degree home invasion and lying to the police. He is currently being held without bond. Records from the Michigan Department of Corrections reveal that he has engaged in violent behavior while previously incarcerated.

Law enforcement has insisted since the start of the murder investigation that antisemitism did not appear to be a motive.

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