A probable cause hearing was held Monday for former Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant Brian Keely, charged with second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the April 17th death of Samuel Sterling.
Sterling was hit by Keely’s unmarked police cruiser while fleeing from officers in a Burger King parking lot, and later died of his injuries.
Keely appeared with his lawyer via Zoom for the proceedings as the judge discussed a motion by Keely’s attorneys to have the case moved to federal court.
The motion was filed late Friday and argues although Keely worked for the state police, he was assigned to a U. S. Marshals’ fugitive task force when the incident happened so the case should be in federal jurisdiction.
Prosecutors oppose the move.
The judge kept Keely’s preliminary examination set for August 12 due to the difficulty of scheduling the many lawyers involved in the case.
The Michigan Attorney General’s office has 21 days to respond.
