PONTIAC, Michigan – A Michigan jury began deliberations in an unusual trial against a school shooter’s mother, Jennifer Crumbley, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter for her alleged contribution to the deaths of four students in 2021. Prosecutors claim that she was grossly negligent for failing to inform Oxford High School about the family’s firearms, including a new weapon that her son later used. The school had previously expressed concerns about violent imagery and alarming phrases on a math assignment, but Ethan Crumbley was allowed to remain in school.
The Michigan Supreme Court turned down an appeal that secured the trial of the parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, clearing the way for them to face trial on involuntary manslaughter charges. The court stated that there was probable cause to put the parents on trial, noting that the Oakland County jury will hear a more extensive case from all sides.
The tragic school shooting saw Ethan Crumbley plead guilty to terrorism and murder, being deemed eligible for life in prison without parole. The parents’ attorneys argue that while bad decisions were made, it does not amount to involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
The prosecutor successfully requested that Ethan Crumbley’s name not be mentioned openly in court or used in writing in the case against his parents. The counselor of the accused teen testified that he informed the parents the morning of the shootings, expressing concern about their son’s mental health. Despite this, the school did not check his backpack for a gun, allowing him to remain on campus.
Additionally, a judge denied a request to lower the $500,000 bail set for the Crumbley parents, who have been in custody since shortly after the shooting, unable to afford bond. The judge stated that they failed to turn themselves in when charged and have few ties to the area. Furthermore, the parents attempted to have their bond reduced to $100,000, but the outcome remains to be seen.
The tragic case sheds light on the complexities of gun accessibility, mental health awareness, and the consequences of negligence, leaving the Michigan community grappling with the devastating aftermath of the school shooting. The trial against Jennifer Crumbley continues as the state seeks justice for the lives lost.