GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Former State Police Detective Sergeant Brian Keely entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Samuel Sterling.
Keely was arraigned before District Judge Amanda Sterkenburg Wednesday while dozens of onlookers sat in the gallery.
Judge Sterkenburg began the arraignment by taking note of the full court room and asking people to excuse themselves if they were feeling "overwhelmed" from "strong emotions."
Keely pled not guilty to both charges and was given a personal recognizance bond of $250,000.
Judge Sterkenburg set Keely's probable cause conference date for June 17 at 1 p.m. and his preliminary examination for June 24 at 2 p.m.
Keely's lawyer waived his right to have his probable cause conference no later than 21 days after his arraignment.
While the judge was giving a dates for the next court appearances, a woman was heard speaking loudly from the gallery. The judge quickly quieted her and had her removed from the courtroom.
Keely retired from the force a day before he was arraigned.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges on May 28.
The Michigan State Police (MSP) said Sterling was approached by several agencies on April 17 in Kentwood on outstanding felony warrants. The agency said Sterling then ran from police, leading to a chase that ended when an unmarked MSP vehicle, driven by Keely, struck Sterling.
Sterling died in a hospital later that day.
Nationally-known civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family of Sterling, said they are "grateful" for Nessel's decision to press charges.
“These charges should serve as a stark warning to law enforcement that their actions have consequences, especially when those actions, which we see all too often, take another life. With each ounce of justice, we move closer to equitable policing and a world with fewer tragedies like the one that ended Samuel’s life," said Crump in a statement.
Marc Curtis, the attorney representing Keely said Nessel's decision "ignores the facts of the incident" and relies on "political pressure."
"This was an accident that could have been avoided had Mr. Sterling simply turned himself in prior to the U.S. Marshall’s Task Force being assigned to apprehend him," Curtis said in a statement. "This accident could have also been avoided if Mr. Sterling would have simply complied with the commands of the Detectives. Mr. Sterling’s action not only put himself in danger but the citizens that were in the area at the time."
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