KENTWOOD, Mich — The retired Michigan State Police (MSP) detective sergeant charged in the death of Samuel Sterling made his first court appearance on Wednesday morning.
Brian Keely stood before a Kentwood district court judge with supporters wearing blue shirts filling his side of the gallery.
Keely faces charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter. He pleaded not guilty to both counts. The charges against Det/Sgt. Brian Keely were announced last week by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Keely supporters think these charges are unfair.
Barry Bussell said, “I just think we're ... it's too easy to blame the police officer for doing his job. I say in this whole deal when I first heard it, this should be dismissed case.”
“For this trooper to face such charges, I think is ... it's just so heartbreaking for me,” said Matt Spencer.
Sitting on the other side of the courtroom was Samuel Sterling's family. Andrica Cage, Sterling's mom, said, “I miss my son a whole lot. That was my baby. So, I miss them a whole lot. You can't bring him back, no matter how much we go to court. You can never bring Samuel back.”
The Judge decided to give Keely a $250,000 personal recognizance bond, which means he won't have to put up any money to get out of custody. Sterling supporters say the low bond sends the wrong message. Robert Womack, Sterling family advocate, said, “He's been charged with second-degree murder and he was patted on the wrist out of here on a personal recognizance bond is a message to law enforcement that our lives don't matter."
Sterling's dad, Michael Sterling, said, "Disappointed, very disappointed; I'm surprised. I'm just lost for words.“ His mom, Andrica, said, “It's just the first step to get justice for my son.”
Detective Sergeant Keely retired from MSP just days after the charges were announced.
THIS MORNING: We’re *LIVE* outside Kentwood District Court where the MSP Sergeant charged in the death of Samuel Sterling will appear for his arraignment.
— Lauren Kummer (@LaurenKummerTV) June 5, 2024
This is his first court appearance since being charged of second degree murder & involuntary manslaughter last week. @FOX17 pic.twitter.com/p36qLC2q6P
It dates back to April 17 when Keely was part of a task force trying to arrest 25-year-old Sterling for absconding probation.
Sterling was hit and seriously injured by an unmarked MSP cruiser that Keely was driving.
Sterling died later that day from his injuries.
We have since learned that Keely has retired from MSP and will soon start receiving a pension.
Cooley Law School Professor Emeritus and former MSP Trooper Lewis Langham explains Keely being charged has no effect on him being eligible for retirement.
"He earned that pension prior to the actions taking place, so more than likely, whatever the outcome of this trial is, it shouldn't have any effect on his pension," said Langham. "If he retires, the clock starts ticking administratively to get the pension started, and he doesn't have to rely upon being off work not receiving any type of benefits whatsoever, as it relates to a paycheck."
Langham says Keely's pension should start 30 days after he applied for retirement.
Keely is set to return to court on June 17 and June 24, based on the schedule initially set by Judge Amanda Sterkenburg. As part of his personal recognizance bond conditions, Keely will not be allowed to leave the state.
Watch the full arraignment hearing below:
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