Michigan school shooter’s parents cleared to stand trial on involuntary manslaughter charges

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The Michigan Supreme Court declined an appeal on Tuesday, thus permitting the parents of a teenager responsible for the tragic shooting at Oxford High School, in which four students lost their lives, to proceed to trial on involuntary manslaughter charges.

James and Jennifer Crumbley are facing allegations of providing access to a firearm to their son, Ethan Crumbley, and neglecting his mental health requirements.

Back in March, the state appeals court had ruled that the couple could indeed face trial, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court.

The shooting incident, which occurred at Oxford High, located approximately 40 miles north of Detroit in November 2021, resulted in the tragic deaths of Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, and Justin Shilling. Additionally, six students and a teacher sustained injuries.

Ethan Crumbley has already pleaded guilty to charges of terrorism and murder, with a judge recently determining that he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The parents’ legal representation maintains that the school shooting was not foreseeable, conceding that mistakes were made but arguing against involuntary manslaughter charges.

On the day of the shooting, school staff had a meeting with the teenager and his parents after a teacher had observed disturbing drawings, but no one inspected his backpack for a firearm, and he was allowed to remain at the school.

The 17-year-old, who was 15 at the time of the incident, is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8. The presiding judge will have the discretion to impose a prison term that could potentially lead to parole in the distant future.

Colin King, a psychologist who has assessed the teenager, characterized him as a “feral child” who experienced neglect from his parents. Nevertheless, Judge Kwamé Rowe mentioned that his home life, while not ideal and marked by his parents’ alcohol consumption and arguments, was not categorically terrible. The judge noted that the teen “seemed to have had a loving and supportive family,” with family vacations, pets, and visits from relatives. In the defendant’s own words, his childhood was described as “good.”

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• Michigan Supreme Court
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