Pontiac, Michigan – Prosecutors in the involuntary manslaughter trial of James Crumbley played a desperate 911 call on Thursday, revealing the frantic moment when he realized his son, Ethan Crumbley, might be the school shooter. The trial centers on the tragic events that unfolded at Oxford High School in 2021, where four students lost their lives and seven others were wounded.
During the trial, prosecutors emphasized James Crumbley’s alleged gross negligence as a contributing factor to the tragedy, though he is not accused of knowing his son’s intentions. The prosecution highlighted key moments, including the purchase of a handgun by James and Ethan Crumbley just days before the shooting, the disturbing drawing found on Ethan’s math assignment, and the failure to take preventive action despite warning signs.
The Crumbleys are the first parents in the U.S. to face criminal charges in connection with a child committing a mass school shooting. Assistant prosecutor Marc Keast underscored the preventable nature of the tragedy, claiming that the couple ignored their son’s pleas for help with mental distress and missed key opportunities to intervene.
Witness testimonies, including that of Molly Darnell, a faculty member wounded during the shooting, shed light on the harrowing events that unfolded that day. Darnell’s account, along with other evidence presented in court, painted a picture of missed opportunities and negligence leading up to the tragic events at Oxford High School.
As the trial continues, the focus remains on James Crumbley’s alleged culpability in failing to prevent the shooting and address his son’s mental health struggles. The prosecution’s case hinges on proving that the father’s actions, or lack thereof, directly contributed to the loss of innocent lives on that fateful day.
The defense, represented by attorney Mariell Lehman, maintains that James Crumbley was unaware of his son’s access to the firearm and did not suspect him of being a danger. The courtroom drama unfolds as both sides present their arguments and evidence in a case that has sparked national debate on parental accountability in school shootings.
With the trial ongoing, the courtroom serves as a stage for the search for justice and accountability in the aftermath of a devastating school shooting. Witnesses, evidence, and legal arguments converge in a quest for truth and closure for the victims and their families affected by the tragic events at Oxford High School.