Pontiac, Michigan – A Michigan jury found James Crumbley guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter on Thursday for the deaths of four students at Oxford High School. Crumbley, the father of school shooter Ethan Crumbley, is the first parent in the United States to face criminal charges in connection with a mass school shooting.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Crumbley failed to act on “glaring opportunities” to prevent his son from carrying out the deadly shooting in November of 2021. The jury deliberated for several days before reaching the verdict that held Crumbley responsible for each of the four students killed by his son.
Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized the importance of holding those who enable gun violence accountable, stating that Crumbley’s negligence led to the deaths of four innocent children. The tragedy could have been prevented if Crumbley had fulfilled his legal duty as a parent, McDonald added.
In addition to the involuntary manslaughter charges, Crumbley was also accused of improperly securing the handgun used in the shooting and neglecting to address his son’s mental distress. Court documents revealed a turbulent household environment where Ethan Crumbley often felt alone while his parents allegedly drank or fought.
Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of the school shooter, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year and is awaiting sentencing in April. Ethan Crumbley, who was sentenced in December to multiple life sentences without parole, had expressed his need for mental health support in journals.
The Crumbleys have been in custody for more than two years due to their inability to pay the $500,000 bond. The tragic events at Oxford High School have ignited discussions about the role of parents in preventing school shootings and the importance of addressing mental health issues among adolescents.
The verdict in James Crumbley’s case sheds light on the legal consequences parents may face for their role in enabling acts of violence committed by their children. This landmark ruling sets a precedent for accountability in cases of school shootings and emphasizes the responsibility parents have in ensuring the safety and well-being of their children.