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Prosecution, defense deliver closing arguments in Samantha Woll murder trial

Jury set to begin deliberations Wednesday

DETROIT – After nearly a month of testimony and dozens of witnesses, attorneys at the Samantha Woll murder trial got their last chance to make their case to the jury.

Related: Samantha Woll’s alleged killer on trial: Watch all witness testimony here

As closing arguments wrapped up, jury deliberations are expected to begin Wednesday, July 10.

Woll was stabbed to death at her Lafayette Park condo last October. Jackson-Bolanos was arrested a month later.

He’s now on trial for first-degree murder, home invasion and lying to a peace officer.

Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Elsey showed the jury what Jackson-Bolanos admitted to on the stand: he was at the scene. Through detective work, police showed the jury -- through dozens of security cameras -- Jackson-Bolanos walking into Woll’s neighborhood and walking out on the night of her murder.

While Elsey can’t tell the jury what happened inside Woll’s home, he asked the jury to imagine what took place.

The defense attorney for Jackson-Bolanos said that’s not enough. Attorney Brian Brown said there are still so many questions regarding Woll’s ex -- Jeffery Herbstman -- who was given immunity by prosecutors and told police during a panic attack that he thinks he killed Woll but doesn’t remember.

Brown said not only did Jackson-Bolanos not kill Woll, but also that the Wayne County prosecutors that charged him and went to trial didn’t have the evidence to prove its case. He said there’s no proof Jackson-Bolanos ever stepped inside the home.

Prosecutors again explained that Jackson-Bolanos had lied to police and admitted he found her body. Elsey told the jury that common sense would fill the gaps in the case.

The jury will begin deliberations Wednesday morning.


About the Authors

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.

Dane Kelly is a digital producer who has been covering various Michigan news stories since 2017.

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