(WWJ) The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to consider arguments from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office that could allow Michael Jackson-Bolanos to be retried for the murder of Detroit Jewish leader Samantha Woll.
The state's high court issued an order in Case No. 169396 (People of Michigan v. Michael Manuel Jackson-Bolanos), granting the WCPO’s leave to appeal in the homicide.
"We are encouraged that the Michigan Supreme Court will consider our arguments regarding why the language of the Double Jeopardy Clause should not preclude Defendant Jackson-Bolanos from being retried for the murder of Samantha Woll," said WCPO Chief of Appeals Jon Wojtala in a statement.
Slaying, investigation and summer 2024 trial
Samantha Woll, 40, President of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, was found stabbed to death outside her Lafayette Park home on the morning of Oct. 21, 2023, after attending a wedding the night before. Investigators believe she was attacked inside her home before stumbling outside, leaving a trail of blood from her open front door to the sidewalk.
Jackson-Bolanos went on trial in the summer of 2024. Prosecutors presented cell phone data, surveillance video, and trace blood evidence on his clothing placing him at the scene.
Taking the stand in his own defense, Jackson-Bolanos maintained his innocence regarding the killing. He testified that he was breaking into cars in the neighborhood that night and stumbled upon Woll's body on the sidewalk. He admitted to touching her cheek to check on her, panicking when he realized she was dead, and fleeing the scene.
On the stand, Jackson-Bolanos acknowledged lying to law enforcement initially out of fear that he would be accused of her murder or caught for the vehicle break-ins but said he absolutely did not harm Woll.
In August 2024, a jury returned a partial verdict:
- Acquitted: First-degree premeditated murder
- Convicted: Lying to law enforcement
- Deadlocked: Felony murder and home invasion
Legal battles over retrial and parole
Following the trial, Wayne County Circuit Judge Margaret Van Houten sentenced Jackson-Bolanos to 18 months to 15 years in prison for lying to police, factoring in his status as a habitual fourth offender.
Judge Van Houten then dismissed the remaining deadlocked counts of felony murder and home invasion.
Citing the U.S. Supreme Court precedent Yeager v. United States, Van Houten ruled that because prosecutors argued home invasion with an underlying theory of assault, the acquittal on premeditated murder legally precluded a retrial on the deadlocked charges under the Double Jeopardy Clause.
The WCPO immediately signaled its intent to appeal the dismissal.
By August 2026, as Jackson-Bolanos faced potential release by the Parole Board, the WCPO filed applications and motions to stay in the Wayne County Third Circuit Court to overturn the board's decision. The board placed multiple 28-day holds on his release, extending his potential release date to late August 2026 while court proceedings continued.
Attorneys for Jackson-Bolanos criticized the delays, noting that their client was not convicted of Woll's murder and arguing that his continued incarceration raises serious legal and constitutional concerns. Meanwhile, separate charges stemming from a 2020 incident involving open container and resisting officer allegations were ordered dismissed by Prosecutor Kym Worthy so the office could maintain focus on the appeal.
With the Michigan Supreme Court granting leave to appeal, the justices will now determine whether the Double Jeopardy Clause bars a retrial.
To date, no one has been convicted in the murder of Samantha Woll.
