20 | AUGUST 22 • 2024 J
N
M
ichael Jackson-Bolanos,
the man accused of killing
Detroit Jewish lay leader
Samantha Woll, had his remaining
murder and home invasion charges
dismissed by a Wayne County
Circuit Court judge during his
retrial/sentencing hearing on Aug. 9.
Judge Margaret Van Houten said
she dismissed the felony murder
charge against Michael Jackson-
Bolanos because of case precedent.
The prosecution plans on appealing
to the Michigan Court of Appeals.
On July 18, a month-long trial
and five days of deadlock-ridden
jury deliberations ended in a mixed
verdict. In the split decision, a Wayne
County jury found the defendant,
Jackson-Bolanos, not guilty of
premeditated, first-degree murder for
the death of Woll.
The jury deadlocked on the counts
of felony murder and home invasion
but convicted Jackson-Bolanos of
lying to police over the course of the
investigation.
On Aug. 9, Van Houten threw out
the felony murder charge, as well as
the home invasion charge, after the
defense filed a motion to dismiss,
arguing case precedent would forbid
the prosecution from retrying the
deadlocked charges.
The prosecution, along with Woll’s
family, remains adamant the evidence
points to Jackson-Bolanos as the
killer.
Accused in the October 2023 fatal
stabbing of Woll, the prosecution
alleged Jackson-Bolanos killed her
during a home invasion, and that the
evidence — including Woll’s blood
on his jacket — pointed to Jackson-
Bolanos’ guilt.
The prosecution also pointed to
cell phone data placing Jackson-
Bolanos at the scene at the same time
Woll’s apartment motion detector
recorded movement and accused
Jackson-Bolanos of changing his
story multiple times over the course
of the trial.
The defense maintained it was a
“wrong place, wrong time,” scenario,
and that the murder was a “crime of
passion” carried out by someone who
wanted her dead.
Woll served as president of the
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue,
a revitalized congregation in the
heart of Detroit, and helped lead
its fundraising campaign and 2023
grand reopening.
She was heavily involved in local,
state and national politics, and was
a deeply devoted interfaith and
intercommunal bridge-builder.
OUR COMMUNITY
JCRC/AJC
board member
Samantha Woll
lighting candles
in March 2018.
COURTESY OF JCRC/AJC
Judge dismisses murder charge against
man accused of killing Samantha Woll.
Charges Dismissed
DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
K
en Newbury, a vice president
of Congregation Beth
Shalom in Traverse City,
recently entertained and enlightened
adult and child congregants with
his performance, G-d is my SUPER
POWER.
A retired psychologist and
educator, Newbury, 70, is now a part-
time amateur actor and magician.
In his lighthearted one-man show,
Newbury weaves religious and
philosophical concepts with sleight-
of-hand illusions and mindreading
feats.
In one skit, he “speaks” directly to
God via telephone.
Newbury explains that his
presentations demonstrate that one’s
personal prayers to God can be at
times fun, creative and spontaneous.
“Your personal prayers can be
heard, understood and possibly
answered,” he said. “But you have to
have a little bit of faith to get to that
point.”
Newbury and his wife, Nancy, split
their time between Traverse City and
suburban Toledo when they’re not
visiting their grandchildren in Ann
Arbor.
Their intent is to give back to the
Jewish community — something
they’ve done throughout their
lives. For example, Ken has taught
confirmation classes and, for four
years, he was the principal at the
Hebrew Academy in Toledo. Nancy
was the longtime director of Jewish
Family Service in Toledo. She now
serves as technical adviser and all-
around supporter for her husband’s
latest endeavor.
Their Traverse City synagogue,
Congregation Beth Shalom, was
founded in 1885, and its cozy
building is the oldest continually
operating synagogue in Michigan.
Arnie Sleutelberg, rabbi emeritus
of Congregation Shir Tikvah in
Troy, leads services monthly and on
Jewish holidays at the upstate shul.
“We enjoyed Ken’s show very
much,” Rabbi Arnie said. “He is
funny, affable and entertaining as he
shares his magic and mindreading
in his one-God, one-man show.”
Newbury hopes to bring his
hourlong presentation to Metro
Detroit and other venues. He can
be contacted at kennewbury@gmail.
com.
DAVID SACHS CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
‘Talking’ with God
over the Telephone
Ken Newbury converses with
the Almighty in his one-man show, G-d
is my SUPER POWER.
Newbury, in mime attire, warms up the
crowd with music and clapping.
COURTESY KEN NEWBURY