Retired MSP Sergeant’s murder case moves to federal court

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The murder case against retired Michigan State Police sergeant Brian Keely is moving to federal court.

U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou agreed in a ruling with Keely’s defense team that he was acting as a federal officer the day he hit and killed Samuel Sterling with a vehicle while Sterling was trying to run from officers in Kentwood.

The judge says Keely “was acting solely in his capacity as a federal task force officer, performing a task given to him by a federal superior, within the scope of his federal office.”

He had been appointed as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal at the time.