Man Accused Of Killing Detroit Jewish Leader Gets Trial Date

DETROIT — A man accused of killing Samantha Woll, who was a well-known leader in Detroit’s Jewish community, will head to trial in June, according to court documents.

Jackson-Bolanos, 28, was charged with first-degree premeditated murder, home invasion and lying to police officers in connection to the killing. His next court date is scheduled for April 12 and his trial starts on June 10, according to court documents.

If convicted on the murder charge, Jackson-Bolanos faces life in prison. He also faces charges of home invasion, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years, and lying to a peace officer, a two-year misdemeanor.

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Jackson-Bolanos is accused of fatally stabbing Woll inside her home in Detroit's Lafayette Park neighborhood on Oct. 21 during what prosecutors say was a home invasion. Woll, 40, was stabbed eight times, police said.

During a preliminary exam hearing, prosecutors said a neighbor found Woll's body at 6:38 a.m. on Oct. 21, 2023 in the 1300 block of Joliet Place, a neighborhood just east of downtown. The neighbor told the court she was barefoot, and her skin was a cold and a bluish color.

When officers arrived, they found Woll's body in a pool of blood a few feet from her apartment with multiple stab wounds from a straight edge knife, prosecutors said.

Investigators used surveillance footage and cell phone data to place Jackson-Bolanos in the area of Woll's home the morning she was killed. Prosecutors also said Jackson-Bolanos was seen wearing a jacket that had Woll's blood on it.

Defense lawyers noted that Jackson-Bolanos was never seen entering or leaving Woll's apartment, and that there is no evidence placing him inside the apartment.

Woll was a prominent Jewish leader in Detroit, serving as president of the board of Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. Police do not believe antisemitism played a role in the killing. Police also said they don't believe any other groups or people are at risk.