KENT COUNTY, Mich. — The family of Samuel Sterling is speaking out after former Michigan State Police trooper, Brian Keely, learned Thursday that he'll head to trial for murder. Keely is accused of hitting and killing Sterling with his patrol vehicle in April. Sterling's brother said Thursday's decision was a step in the right direction.
"I'm a little bit joyful. I'm very joyful actually. It's been a process," said Jermar Sterling.
Just a few hours after the decision was made, Sterling's mother said she was relieved with joy.
"I cried. I was happy. I jumped for joy. Because this is like going down in history, that we're finally going to have an officer that's accountable for his actions," said Samuel Sterling's mother, Andrica Cage.
Keely is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Sterling. In a statement to 13 ON YOUR SIDE, Keely's attorney, Marc E. Curtis called the ruling "disappointing, but not unexpected." Curtis also said "although the AG's office told their 'story', the true facts will come out at trial."
Back in April, Keely was a part of the U.S. Marshall Task Force working to find Sterling and arrest him on a warrant. On April 17, Keely hit Sterling with his unmarked cruiser. Sterling later died from his injuries.
"Looking at that video over and over again, it broke my heart, but it made me realize that he thought my son was a bull. It's hard, but you know what, if I don't watch it, then I'm gonna miss my son. I'm going to miss the aching and the pain, you know? Because when my son died, that was my pain," said Cage.
Keely's attorney is fighting to get the case moved to federal court since he was part of a joint fugitive task force, but a federal judge has yet to issue a decision. In the meantime, Sterling's mother said she will continue to fight for justice for her son.
"I'm not just fighting for my son, I'm fighting for every last one of us, and I need the whole community to stand because we can't do this by ourselves," said Cage.