James Crumbley Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter for Son's Involvement in Oxford High School Shooting

James Crumbley guilty involuntary manslaughter school shooting parents

By Jackelyn Cornejo , Parent Herald Mar 15, 03:27 am

Photo: (Photo : Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

A jury's decision on Thursday ruled James Crumbley guilty of unintentional killing in relation to his teen son's tragic school shooting in 2021, echoing the conviction of his spouse, who was found liable on the same accusation last month.

James Crumbley Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter

The jury's verdict, following 10 hours of discussion, concludes a memorial case noting the first instance in the U.S. where the parents of a mass school shooter have been taken criminally liable.

Ethan Crumbley, the 15-year-old child of James and Jennifer Crumbley, appeals as an adult and gets a life sentence without the probability of pardon in December for starting a shooting at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit.

James Crumbley, 47, faces a possible sentence of up to 15 years in confinement for each of the four counts of unintentional killing, exhibiting the four learners killed. His wife, 45-year-old Jennifer Crumbley, awaits sentencing in April.

Prosecutors asserted that James Crumbley had bought a 9mm Sig Sauer handgun as a present for Ethan a day after Thanksgiving, during a tough time when Ethan was dealing with emotional difficulties after his best friend transferred.

Although Crumbley was not indicted of previous knowledge of the onslaught, which Ethan had determined in journal entries, his behavior before and on the day of the shooting was regarded as critical.

Testimony in James Crumbley's preliminary lasted less than a week, and unlike Jennifer Crumbley, he did not vouch for his own defense. However, evidence highlighted his actions leading up to the shooting. School staff testified that the Crumbleys were summoned to Oxford High School on the morning of the shooting due to a drawing by Ethan depicting a gun and a victim, but they failed to disclose his access to a firearm and asserted they couldn't take him home due to work commitments.

Computer forensic evidence suggested that James Crumbley only commenced his DoorDash delivery job after the school meeting and drove by the family home multiple times, prompting speculation from the prosecution that he had the opportunity to verify the security of the gun.

Crumbley later admitted to investigators that he concealed the handgun in an armoire and hid the ammunition under jeans in another drawer.

Parents Held Liable for Son's Role in School Shooting

Ethan Crumbley continues to deadly shoot four learners: Justin Shilling, Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, and Hana St. Juliana.

During concluding arguments, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald asserts the avoidable nature of the passings, suggesting that Crumbley could have taken little measures to avoid the mishap.

Defense lawyer Mariell Lehman contended that the prosecution failed to demonstrate Crumbley's awareness of his son's danger to the public or his access to the gun, urging jurors to consider reasonable doubt.

James Crumbley's trial differed from his wife's, with fewer witnesses presented by the prosecution. While Jennifer Crumbley's trial focused on her parenting deficiencies, James Crumbley's trial underscored his legal responsibility as a parent to prevent harm to others, despite Michigan's recent enactment of a safe gun storage law.

Testimony in James Crumbley's trial commenced last Thursday, coinciding with a court order from Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews restricting his communication after alleged threatening statements.