Murder Charges Dismissed Against Sole Suspect in Samantha Woll Case, One Year On

Detroit, Michigan – Murder charges against Michael Jackson-Bolanos, the only suspect in the fatal stabbing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll, have been dismissed, leaving the high-profile case unsolved over a year after her death. The development comes as a new podcast, "Spiral: Murder in Detroit" from The Free Press, delves into the case, highlighting the family's ongoing search for justice.Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Margaret Van Houten dismissed the remaining felony murder and home invasion charges against Jackson-Bolanos in August 2024, citing double jeopardy based on a 2009 U.S. Supreme Court precedent. This decision followed a July trial where a jury acquitted Jackson-Bolanos of first-degree premeditated murder but was deadlocked on the felony murder and home invasion counts. He was, however, convicted of lying to police during the investigation and sentenced to 18 months to 15 years in prison.Samantha Woll, 40, president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue and a respected interfaith and political activist, was found stabbed to death outside her home in October 2023. Her killing initially drew international attention amid heightened tensions, though police quickly stated they found no evidence of antisemitic motivation. Woll was known for her work with U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and state Attorney General Dana Nessel.During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence including Woll's blood found on Jackson-Bolanos' jacket, alleging he committed the murder during a home invasion. Jackson-Bolanos testified he found Woll's body and touched her, denying any role in her death. Earlier in the investigation, a former boyfriend was briefly arrested after making a distraught 911 call, but was later cleared by police.The dismissal of charges has left Woll's family reeling, with her sister Monica stating, "My sister’s murderer got away with it." The Free Press podcast aims to explore the complexities and unanswered questions surrounding the case. Prosecutors have pledged to appeal Judge Van Houten's decision, though legal experts suggest such an appeal faces significant hurdles. Jackson-Bolanos is reportedly eligible for release from prison as early as June 2025.