Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges against Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant Brian Keely in the death of Samuel Sterling in a video statement released yesterday, stating:
My office has reviewed multiple police reports from other officers on the scene, read the accident reconstruction report and autopsy, as well as watched body cam footage and surveillance videos from neighboring businesses prior to completing our investigation. We have found that Detective Sergeant Keely’s actions that day were legally grossly negligent and created a very high risk of death or great bodily harm, which could have otherwise been prevented. As a result, today, we filed the following charges against Brian Keely in the Kentwood 62 B District Court. One count of murder in the second degree, a life offense; or alternatively, one count of involuntary manslaughter, a 15 year felony.
Sterling was wanted on outstanding warrants for a probation violation, and was being pursued by law-enforcement officers on foot near a fast-food restaurant. Keely struck Sterling with a police SUV he was driving, crushing him between the vehicle and the restaurant’s exterior wall. Sterling died from the injuries at the University of Michigan Metro Health Hospital later that day. Sterling was previously convicted of auto theft in 2017, and in 2021 he was convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and theft.
Keely’s attorney, Marc Curtis, alleges the charges resulting from the actions of his client are politically motivated, stating:
It is unfortunate that in this time of political correctness, Michigan’s Attorney General has chosen to ignore the facts of this incident and rely on political pressure. It is also unfortunate that our Governor, without having seen or heard all the evidence in the case, chose to interject her opinion and side against law enforcement in this matter.
