Reaction of Samuel Sterling's family after trial of MSP police officer

KENT COUNTY, Mich. — The family of Samuel Sterling is speaking out after former Michigan State Police Trooper Brian Keely learned Thursday that he will face murder charges. Keely is accused of hitting and killing Sterling with his patrol car in April. Sterling's brother said Thursday's decision is a step in the right direction.

“I'm a little bit happy. Actually, I'm very happy. It was a process,” said Jermar Sterling.

Just hours after the decision, Sterling's mother said she was relieved and happy.

“I was crying. I was happy. I was jumping for joy. Because this is like a history book that we finally have a police officer who is held accountable for his actions,” said Samuel Sterling's mother, Andrica Cage.

Keely is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with Sterling's death. In a statement to 13 ON YOUR SIDE, Keely's attorney, Marc E. Curtis, called the verdict “disappointing but not unexpected.” Curtis also said, “Although the Attorney General's office has told its 'story,' the true facts will come out at trial.”

In April, Keely was part of the U.S. Marshall Task Force that searched for Sterling and arrested him on a warrant. On April 17, Keely ran over Sterling with his unmarked patrol car. Sterling later died of his injuries.

“When I watched the video over and over again, it broke my heart, but I realized he thought my son was a cop. It's hard, but you know what: If I don't watch it, I'm going to miss my son. I'm going to miss the hurt and the pain, you know? Because when my son died, that was my pain,” Cage said.

Keely's attorney is fighting to have the case brought to federal court because he was part of a joint task force for fugitive criminals, but a federal judge has not yet made 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 each and every one of us, and I need the support of the entire community because we can't do this alone,” Cage said.