A civil trial has been scheduled for November 2, 2026, regarding the excessive force lawsuit against former Michigan State Police sergeant Brian Keely. The legal action follows the dismissal of murder charges against Keely in May of the previous year, in which a federal judge cited the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause as grounds for immunity from prosecution. Keely's vehicle struck and killed 25-year-old Samuel Sterling during a police operation in April 2024, as reported by News Channel 3.
The duration of the trial is expected to last 7-10 days. In advance of the proceedings, a status conference has been set for December 15, 2025, followed by a settlement conference on August 28, 2026, and a final pre-trial conference on October 7, 2026, to be soon followed by the main trial. According to the civil lawsuit filed in January, Sterling's family alleges that Keely violated Sterling's Fourth and 14th Amendment rights against excessive force, demonstrating gross negligence and willful and wanton misconduct, as mentioned by WOODTV.
The civil case emerged after a controversial incident where Sterling was fatally hit by Keely's SUV in a Kentwood Burger King parking lot. This followed the dismissal by Judge Hala Y. Jarbou of criminal charges against Keely, who ruled that the state did not present evidence to support the theory that Keely intentionally killed Sterling, as stated by News Channel 3. The video evidence also did not support that Keely had turned his wheel sharply toward Sterling. Despite the outcome, Samuel’s family attorney, Ven Johnson, has vowed to "pursue every legal avenue in our civil case to hold Keely and all others involved accountable."
Attorneys for Keely filed a motion to dismiss the civil case, citing the prior dismissal of the criminal case. Yet, as noted by WZZM13, Judge Jarbou who presided over the criminal matter, will also oversee the civil trial in Lansing. The Sterling family, represented by highly notable civil rights attorney Ben Crump and attorney Ven Johnson, seeks to ensure that Sterling receives justice, maintaining that the civil case remains unaffected by the dismissal of the federal charges.
Samuel Sterling's mother, Andrica Cage, expressed her frustration and determination for justice, telling News Channel 3, "I really do want to know why the officers get away with everything, because my son was not a threat," and "I am going to keep making noise. No justice, no peace."
