Pontiac, Michigan – The first day of deliberations in the manslaughter trial of the mother of the Oxford High School shooter has concluded without a verdict. She is facing four counts, one for each of the students killed in November 2021. The jury deliberated for hours on Monday, discussing the evidence and bringing two questions to the judge as many Oxford families anxiously await the verdict.
Craig Shilling, the father of Justin Shilling, one of the students killed in the shooting, was present at the courthouse during the deliberations. He expressed the belief that the precedent-setting nature of the case warranted thorough deliberation. While painfully waiting for the verdict, Craig Shilling also expressed understanding as to why the deliberations will continue for a second day.
The jury deliberated all day, raising questions to the judge, including whether they could make assumptions as to why the shooter never took the stand. Federal criminal defense attorney Michael Bullotta, a former federal prosecutor and now a defense attorney not affiliated with the case, highlighted the seriousness with which the jury is approaching the case, emphasizing the significance of the verdict in setting a precedent. Bullotta predicts that the deliberations will likely extend into the second day as well. He also emphasized the difficulty of proving beyond a reasonable doubt whether there were enough red flags visible to Jennifer Crumbley that would have made her foresee her son’s potential for committing such a violent act.
Despite Bullotta’s own assessment of the challenge in securing a conviction based on the evidence, he underscored that the outcome of the trial rests solely on the jurors, who are taking their time to reach a unanimous decision. Meanwhile, Craig Shilling emphasized the broader impact of the trial, suggesting it should resonate with every parent in America and influence the choices made in regards to their children. He believes that the trial has shed light on the levels of parental responsibility and the potential repercussions of choosing not to take action.