Latest news with #SamuelSterling
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sterling family speaks after judge dismisses charges
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A family's call for justice is now back to square one after the case did not even make it to trial before a federal judge dismissed the charges. Samuel Sterling, 25, was killed in August 2024 after former Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant Brian Keely hit Sterling with a cruiser. Sterling was hospitalized and later died. 'The message that it is sending is that law enforcement is able to do whatever they want to do,' Jermar Sterling, Samuel Sterling's cousin told News 8. 'My last 24 hours have been sleepless.' Keely was charged with second degree murder and manslaughter. His case started in state court, but was moved into federal court after a motion by the defense, which said it belonged there because Keely was acting as part of a U.S. Marshals task force when the death happened. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office has disputed that argument. Judge tosses case against former MSP sgt in death of Samuel Sterling On Thursday, a federal judge dismissed the case. That decision sparked outrage among the family. 'I am motivated, I'm tired, I'm tired of no accountability, I am tired of seeing my people, which are my community feared and not knowing what to do next. I am tired of being traumatized based on the presence of law enforcement,' Jermar Sterling said. 'I still believe in our justice system, I just believe right now our justice system is being exposed and I believe God is trying to shine a light on our justice system, where those city leaders and our elected officials who won't step up now in the limelight.' Nessel chimed in on the decision, calling it 'incredibly disturbing.' 'Miscarriage of justice,' AG says after murder case against former MSP sgt. dismissed 'To have robbed the family of that opportunity even to have their case in court, again, nothing short of a miscarriage of justice,' Nessel told News 8. 'I think it's one that will result in just fundamental distrust between the community and the law enforcement agencies that serve them, and I don't think that benefits anyone.' Nessel did say that she is both considering and looking into appeals options. Jermar Sterling said they are calling on Nessel to do so quickly. 'During the appeals process, we still got to continue to fight for these policies,' he said. 'It will be a long drawn-out process dealing with this appeal process, but our Sterling family and the Cage family have the endurance to continue to fight during this process.' Brian Keely's attorney Marc Curtis said in a statement that the ruling sends a 'strong message.' But Sterling says it's the wrong one. 'Abomination of justice': Community leaders react to Keely case dismissal 'It sends a strong message in support of those who serve with honor and integrity,' Jermar Sterling said, citing Curtis' statement. 'Wow, what a great message to send. Honor and integrity of killing unarmed. Not just black men and women, but men and women period across the United States of America.' As the family waits for what is to come next, Jermar Sterling said the fight is not over for justice, as they lean on the community for strength. 'I know we live in a fearful time of law enforcement right now, but don't let your fear silence you, allow your fear to ignite you,' he said. Sterling then had one message to share with Samuel, to show their fight will continue. 'It ain't over man, it ain't over,' Jermar Sterling said. 'We fighters, we cut from a different type of bloodline that don't back down, that don't give up and we will make the necessary noise to be heard. No justice, no peace, so we are hoping that justice will not be denied.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
29-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Judge throws out murder charge against Michigan officer who struck a fleeing man
A judge dismissed a murder charge against a Michigan police officer who struck a fleeing man with his unmarked SUV, saying his role with a federal task force gives him immunity from state prosecution. There was no evidence that state police Det. Sgt. Brian Keely 'did no more than what was necessary and proper' to catch a man wanted for various crimes, U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou said Wednesday. Samuel Sterling, 25, died after he was pinned against a wall at a Burger King in Kentwood in April 2024. At that time, Keely was part of a U.S. Marshal Service group that tries to catch fugitives in western Michigan. 'Sterling was actively attempting to evade arrest, leading multiple officers on an extended chase in a populated area,' the judge said. 'Because Keely and the other officers reasonably believed Sterling was armed, they had good reason to believe that Sterling posed a significant threat to the safety of officers and the public.' Sterling was on foot. Keely made a reasonable decision to try to block him from entering the Burger King, even if the officer's actions were risky, Jarbou said. The judge said it is "well settled" that a state can't prosecute a federal officer if the officer acted properly. Keely was charged with second-degree murder. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the decision was 'nothing short of a miscarriage of justice.' Keely's attorneys said Sterling, who had past convictions, made things worse by running. There were six warrants out for his arrest, including an allegation of assault against his father and probation violations, the judge said. 'This ruling not only vindicates our client but also sends a strong message in support of those who serve with honor and integrity,' Keely's lawyers said in written statement.
CBS News
29-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Judge throws out murder charge against Michigan officer who struck a fleeing man with unmarked SUV
A judge dismissed a murder charge against a Michigan police officer who struck a fleeing man with his unmarked SUV, saying his role with a federal task force gives him immunity from state prosecution. There was no evidence that state police Det. Sgt. Brian Keely "did no more than what was necessary and proper" to catch a man wanted for various crimes, U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou said Wednesday. Samuel Sterling, 25, died after he was pinned against a wall at a Burger King in Kentwood in April 2024. At that time, Keely was part of a U.S. Marshal Service group that tries to catch fugitives in western Michigan. "Sterling was actively attempting to evade arrest, leading multiple officers on an extended chase in a populated area," the judge said. "Because Keely and the other officers reasonably believed Sterling was armed, they had good reason to believe that Sterling posed a significant threat to the safety of officers and the public." Sterling was on foot. Keely made a reasonable decision to try to block him from entering the Burger King, even if the officer's actions were risky, Jarbou said. The judge said it is "well settled" that a state can't prosecute a federal officer if the officer acted properly. Keely was charged with second-degree murder. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the decision was "nothing short of a miscarriage of justice." Keely's attorneys said Sterling, who had past convictions, made things worse by running. There were six warrants out for his arrest, including an allegation of assault against his father and probation violations, the judge said. "This ruling not only vindicates our client but also sends a strong message in support of those who serve with honor and integrity," Keely's lawyers said in a written statement.
CBS News
29-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Charges dismissed against ex-Michigan State Police sergeant in man's death
Charges against a former Michigan State Police detective sergeant have been dismissed in connection with the death of Samuel Sterling. Former Detective Sgt. Brian Keely, of Grand Rapids, was charged with second-degree murder or, alternatively, involuntary manslaughter for allegedly hitting Sterling with his vehicle during a police chase in April 2024. Sterling was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. One month after the incident, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges, saying they came after reviewing reports, bodycam footage and surveillance videos. However, on Wednesday, Chief Judge Hala Jarbou of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan ruled in the dismissal, citing the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, according to a news release. According to the AG's office, the clause protects federal officers from state prosecution "so long as their actions were no more than were necessary and proper." Officials say the case was sent to federal court after Jarbou ruled that Keely was working as a federal officer on behalf of the U.S. Marshals at the time of the incident. Nessel argued that while Keely worked under a federal agency, he remained a state police officer. AG Nessel's full statement on case dismissal "My Department issued these charges based on the facts and evidence in this case. After a thorough review of the extensive evidence before a state district court, this case was bound over for trial based on a judge's finding of probable cause that Keely illegally ended the life of Samuel Sterling. I stand by our arguments in that court, as well as those before the federal judge, that Keely was not acting reasonably under the circumstances, nor as a federal officer in a manner consistent with federal immunity from state prosecution. "I am disappointed that the case's transfer to federal court ultimately resulted in its dismissal and am deeply concerned with the precedent it sets—that individuals deemed federal officers by federal authorities can commit lethal crimes against Michigan residents with impunity. Such a precedent is dangerous and fundamentally undermines the principles of justice and accountability our legal system is meant to uphold. Regrettably, the circumstances of the killing of Samuel Sterling were never presented to a jury. No one should be above the law, and my office remains committed to ensuring those who break it are held accountable. "I am grateful for the determined, persistent work of my team on this difficult case and my heart breaks for the loved ones left behind by Mr. Sterling and the community who mourns him. This outcome is nothing short of a miscarriage of justice and my Department is considering our next steps." Sterling's family filed a lawsuit in January 2025, claiming the incident highlights "systemic law enforcement failures." In a statement on Wednesday, attorney Ven Johnson, representing the family, said, "We are deeply disappointed by the court's decision to dismiss the criminal charges against Sgt. Brian Keely. It sends a troubling message that a police officer can run over an unarmed man and avoid facing a criminal jury. "Let me be clear: while this criminal case has been dismissed, our fight for civil justice is not. This only strengthens the resolve of my co-counsel, Ben Crump, and me to pursue every legal avenue in our civil case to hold Keely and all others involved accountable for the preventable death of Samuel Sterling. Samuel's family deserves answers and justice, and we will not stop until they get both." The video above previously aired on Jan. 24, 2025.
