A Detroit judge has dismissed murder and home invasion charges against the man accused of killing Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll last year.
Michael Jackson-Bolanos was convicted last month of lying to police about the case, but acquitted on a premeditated murder charge and deadlocked on felony murder and home invasion charges.
Woll, the president of Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, was found stabbed to death in her front yard on October 21, after she came from from a friend’s wedding, as CrimeOnline reported. A former boyfriend, Jeff Herbstman, called police two weeks later and said he “may have murdered” Woll, but police released him after he retracted his confession.
A month later, police arrested Jackson-Bolanos, who was already a suspect in several larcenies in the area. For his part, Jackson-Bolanos testified during the trial that he had been breaking into cars and stumbled upon Woll’s body. He said he checked for a pulse and then fled.
Jackson-Bolanos’ attorney argued that it would constitute double jeopardy to try him again, but prosecutors disagreed because the jury was deadlocked and did not acquit, WJBK reported.
Van Houten ordered the charges dismissed, but prosecutors said they plan to appeal.
The judge sentence Jackson-Bolanos to 18 months to 15 years on the lying to police charge. She gave him 243 days credit for time served.
Jackson-Bolanos’ attorney said he would appeal the sentence.
