Retired Trooper to Stand Trial for Murder in SUV Incident
- A retired Michigan State Police trooper is facing trial for second-degree murder charges.
- The trooper struck a 25-year-old man with his SUV who was fleeing from the police.
- The incident has led to the trooper being ordered to stand trial for the death of the man.
KENTWOOD, Mich. (AP) — A retired Michigan State Police trooper, Brian Keely, is set to stand trial for second-degree murder following an incident in which he struck and killed 25-year-old Samuel Sterling with his unmarked SUV. A district judge in Kentwood announced the decision during a Zoom hearing, transferring the case to circuit court. The charges were brought forth by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel after an investigation revealed details surrounding Sterling's death on April 17. The confrontation began when police attempted to apprehend Sterling at a gas station due to multiple outstanding warrants. A 15-minute video released by authorities shows Sterling fleeing from officers, who repeatedly instructed him to stop. As he ran past a Burger King, Keely's vehicle collided with him, pinning him against the building. Despite immediate medical attention, Sterling succumbed to his injuries later that day in the hospital. Keely's defense attorney, Marc E. Curtis, expressed confidence that the true facts of the case would emerge during the trial, asserting that the narrative presented by the Attorney General's office does not reflect the reality of the situation. Notably, Keely was not wearing a body camera at the time of the incident, nor was his vehicle equipped with an in-car camera, raising questions about the available evidence. Sterling had a criminal history, including a probation violation in June 2022 for offenses related to firearms and theft. The case is expected to be a protracted legal battle as both sides prepare for trial.