Pontiac, Michigan – Families of the victims who lost their lives in a tragic 2021 Michigan school shooting addressed the court on Tuesday, urging the judge to impose the maximum sentence on the parents of the school shooter, Ethan Crumbley.
James and Jennifer Crumbley were convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter in separate trials, one count for each of their son’s victims – Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, and Justin Shilling, all teenagers.
Nicole Beausoleil, the mother of 17-year-old Baldwin, spoke first, recounting the pain of losing her daughter and declaring that the loss will be everlasting. “You both took four beautiful children away from this world,” Beausoleil expressed emotionally, addressing the Crumbleys. “The punishment you face will never be enough. It will never bring her back.”
Prosecutors are requesting a 10 to 15-year prison sentence for each parent, surpassing the seven-year guideline. However, the defendants’ attorneys argue for time served, highlighting that both parents have been in custody since December 2021.
During the court hearing, parents of Justin Shilling, who was only 17 when he was fatally shot, also gave impactful statements. Shilling’s mother, Jill Soave, commemorated her son’s bravery in protecting another student during the shooting. Meanwhile, his father, Craig Shilling, revealed the ongoing struggle he faces every day without his son, stating, “The wounds are just as fresh as they were that day.”
The emotional testimonies from the families shed light on the devastating impact of the school shooting and emphasized the desire for accountability and justice in the wake of such tragic events.