Jury foreman reveals pressure during Samantha Woll murder trial deliberations in Detroit
The jury foreman in the Samantha Woll murder trial in Detroit has spoken out about the judges’ decision about Michael Jackson-Bolanos.
DETROIT – The jury foreman in the Samantha Woll murder trial has spoken out about the judge's decision regarding Michael Jackson-Bolanos, the suspect in the case. This was Jackson-Bolanos' first court appearance since his trial.
On Friday (Aug. 9), the judge dismissed the murder and home invasion charges against Bolanos, but he was back in court due to a motion filed last month by his defense to dismiss the case. Local 4 reported that Jackson-Bolanos cannot be retried for Woll's murder or home invasion; however, he was sentenced to 18 months to 15 years in prison for lying to the police in connection with the case.
The foreman discussed the impact of Woll's ex-boyfriend, Jeffrey Herbstman's confession on the judge's not-guilty verdict for Bolanos. Expressing disappointment, the foreman said, "I know they said Herbstman had some sort of episode. To me, that was proving that he (Herbstman) also lied to the police. What's good for the goose is good for the gander...I would've thought that he could've been charged with the same thing."
The jury deliberated for days, with votes revealing a close split between those for and against a guilty verdict. Ultimately, Jackson-Bolanos was found not guilty of felony murder. The foreman acknowledged the pressure they felt to convict, aware of the gravity of the situation and the severity of the charges, knowing that someone had lost their life.
"I have a family, a wife, and I can't imagine if it were my daughter," the foreman shared, revealing the emotional toll the case took on him. "I still lose sleep over it. I did not know Samantha Woll until this trial, which is probably why some of us were picked. Unfortunately, I don't think it turned out as expected. Nobody was happy with the verdict."
Jackson-Bolanos expected to receive probation, but instead, he was sentenced to a lengthier term in jail. He will serve 18 months to 15 years, a significant departure from the initially recommended probation.
Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
On Friday (Aug. 9), the judge dismissed the murder and home invasion charges against Bolanos, but he was back in court due to a motion filed last month by his defense to dismiss the case. Local 4 reported that Jackson-Bolanos cannot be retried for Woll's murder or home invasion; however, he was sentenced to 18 months to 15 years in prison for lying to the police in connection with the case.
The foreman discussed the impact of Woll's ex-boyfriend, Jeffrey Herbstman's confession on the judge's not-guilty verdict for Bolanos. Expressing disappointment, the foreman said, "I know they said Herbstman had some sort of episode. To me, that was proving that he (Herbstman) also lied to the police. What's good for the goose is good for the gander...I would've thought that he could've been charged with the same thing."
The jury deliberated for days, with votes revealing a close split between those for and against a guilty verdict. Ultimately, Jackson-Bolanos was found not guilty of felony murder. The foreman acknowledged the pressure they felt to convict, aware of the gravity of the situation and the severity of the charges, knowing that someone had lost their life.
"I have a family, a wife, and I can't imagine if it were my daughter," the foreman shared, revealing the emotional toll the case took on him. "I still lose sleep over it. I did not know Samantha Woll until this trial, which is probably why some of us were picked. Unfortunately, I don't think it turned out as expected. Nobody was happy with the verdict."
Jackson-Bolanos expected to receive probation, but instead, he was sentenced to a lengthier term in jail. He will serve 18 months to 15 years, a significant departure from the initially recommended probation.
Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.