New details have emerged in the brutal murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll – as it is revealed she was stabbed eight times and her blood was found on the suspect’s coat.
Police have charged Michael Jackson-Bolanos, 28, with the October 21 murder of Woll, 40, and his next court appearance is scheduled for January 2.
Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Elsey said the Jewish community leader was likely asleep in her living room after a wedding when Jackson-Bolanos allegedly broke in at 4:20 a.m., reported the Detroit Free Press.
The suspect allegedly stabbed her eight times in the face and neck inside 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.
According to Elsey, the evidence linking Jackson-Bolanos to the crime includes Woll’s blood found on his coat.
New details have emerged in the October 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 likely sleeping in her living room after a wedding when the attack occurred. Evidence shows Jackson-Bolanos had Woll’s blood on his coat
The January 2 court appearance in front of 36th District Judge Kenneth King will be a probable causing hearing.
Jackson-Bolanos has pleaded not guilty to charges of felony murder, breaking and entering and lying to a police officer.
Authorities said there was no forced entry into Woll’s home and clarified her door was unlocked.
The 28-year-old had been briefly held for questioning a few weeks prior to his arrest in connection with a series of larcenies, then released but kept under close observation as detectives continued their investigation, Detroit Police Chief James White said.
‘Once he was released, we kept an eye on him until we had enough to ultimately make an arrest,’ White said.
His criminal history includes prior convictions for stealing and concealing vehicles and records indicate he exhibited violent behavior while in prison.
Woll worked for Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and on the political campaign of state Attorney General Dana Nessel (right)
Prosecutors have said Jackson-Bolanos was a stranger to Woll and this is not a hate crime, as Woll served as board president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
The case was initially feared she was killed in a hate crime as Woll served as board president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy claimed there was not a ‘shred of evidence’ that Woll was killed as a result of antisemitism or any hate crime.
‘There are no facts to suggest this defendant knew Ms. Woll,’ Worthy said.
Woll was a leader in the community and besides her work for the synagogue she had worked for Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and on the political campaign of state Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Police initially had a different person in custody in connection to the case, but they were released in November.
‘This was an extraordinarily sad and tragic case,’ Worthy said. She added, ‘This takes time. We never want to rush to judgment.’