- Prosecutors said Samantha Woll was stabbed eight times in the face and neck on Oct. 21 as she slept in her living room
- They claim Woll's blood was found on the jacket of suspect Michael Jackson-Bolanos, who was charged with her murder
New details have emerged in the brutal murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll. It turns out she was stabbed eight times and her blood was found on the suspect's coat.
Police have charged 28-year-old Michael Jackson-Bolanos with the Oct. 21 murder of 40-year-old Woll. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 2nd.
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Ryan Elsey said the Jewish community leader was likely sleeping in her living room after a wedding when Jackson-Bolanos allegedly broke in at 4:20 a.m., the Detroit Free Press reported.
The suspect allegedly stabbed her eight times in the face and neck at her Lafayette Park home before Woll stumbled outside and was found by a neighbor a few hours later – around 6:30 a.m. – and pronounced dead at the scene.
Evidence linking Jackson-Bolanos to the crime includes Woll's blood, which was found on his coat, according to Elsey.
New details have emerged in the Oct. 21 murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
Prosecutors said suspect Michael Jackson-Bolanos (pictured) stabbed Woll eight times in the face and neck
Authorities said Woll was probably sleeping in her living room after a wedding when the attack occurred. There is evidence that Jackson-Bolanos had Woll's blood on his coat
The Jan. 2 court date before 36th District Judge Kenneth King will be a likely trigger hearing.
Jackson-Bolanos has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, burglary and lying to a police officer.
Authorities said there was no forced entry into Woll's home and clarified that her door was unlocked.
The 28-year-old was briefly held for questioning a few weeks before his arrest in connection with a string of thefts, then released but kept under close watch as investigators continued their investigation, Detroit Police Chief James White said.
“After he was released, we kept an eye on him until we had enough to eventually make an arrest,” White said.
His criminal history includes previous convictions for theft and concealing vehicles, and records indicate he has exhibited violent behavior in prison.
Woll worked for Democratic U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin and on the political campaign of Attorney General Dana Nessel (right).
Prosecutors said Jackson-Bolanos was a stranger to Woll and that this was not a hate crime because Woll served as board president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
The case was initially feared that she was killed in a hate crime when Woll was board president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy claimed there was not a “scrap of evidence” that Woll was killed because of anti-Semitism or another hate crime.
“There are no facts to suggest that this defendant knew Ms. Woll,” Worthy said.
Woll was a leader in the community and, in addition to her work at the synagogue, worked for Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and on Attorney General Dana Nessel's political campaign.
Police initially had another person in custody in connection with the case, but he was released in November.
“This was an extraordinarily sad and tragic case,” Worthy said. She added: “It takes time. “We never want to rush to judgement.”