Families of two people killed in two separate incidents with police in Kent County are filing lawsuits alleging excessive force.
Riley Doggett, 17, and Samuel Sterling, 25, were both unarmed and running from police in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area when they were struck by patrol vehicles in April 2024. Both of them died as a result of their injuries.
The lawsuits allege that the officers’ actions were ‘reckless’ and ‘unjustified,’ according to a press release from attorneys for the families. The lawsuits are being filed against Kent County, Kent County Sheriff’s Deputy Josiah McMains, and former Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant Brian Keely.
McMains struck Doggett with a patrol car while the 17-year-old was running from police. In May, the Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker declined to file charges against McMains, saying McMains had “acted within the scope of his duties and in accordance with the law.” He did file charges against the teen who was driving the vehicle that Doggett was in when the police chase began.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged Keely with murdering Sterling after he struck Sterling with an SUV in a fast food parking lot. In August, Keely was bound over to face charges of second-degree murder and one count of involuntary manslaughter.
Civil attorneys Ben Crump and Ven Johnson was joined by the families of Doggett and Sterling to share details of the lawsuits on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.
Crump and Johnson said they intend to see change in the department of justice with the lawsuit by holding police accountable for their actions.
“The training they use needs to be enforced in a way of disciplining them,” said Johnson.
The lawsuits seeks monetary judgment for damages against the families with costs, interest and attorney fees.
You can watch the full press conference in the video above.
