Pontiac, Michigan – The father of a 15-year-old Michigan school gunman has been convicted of manslaughter after his son killed four students.
James Crumbley, 47, was deemed responsible for ignoring his son Ethan’s mental health needs, providing him with the handgun used in the tragic November 2021 attack. The verdict, which also affected his wife who faced the same charges, could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 15 years for both parents.
This case marks a significant moment as the first instance where parents of a mass shooter have been held criminally liable. The sentencing of the couple is scheduled for April 9 after a jury deliberated for over a day following a week-long trial.
The tragic incident at Oxford High School resulted in the deaths of four students, with seven others sustaining injuries. The gunman, Ethan Crumbley, is currently serving a life sentence without parole. This devastating event has sparked conversations about gun violence in America.
Steve St Juliana, father of one of the victims, expressed that the prosecution of the Crumbleys is just the beginning in addressing the issue of gun violence in the country. He emphasized the importance of taking action to protect children from such tragedies.
In a statement, attorney Ven Johnson stated that the Crumbleys played a significant role in the deaths of the four students, highlighting the need to hold everyone involved accountable within the law. Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized that the attack was preventable and foreseeable, pointing out James Crumbley’s lack of actions to address his son’s troubling behavior.
The trial revealed that the parents had not adequately addressed their son’s declining mental health and failed to ensure that he did not have access to deadly weapons. Despite the defense arguing that James Crumbley was unaware of his son’s struggles, the prosecution maintained that parents and gun owners have a responsibility to prevent children from accessing such weapons.
The Crumbleys were swiftly charged by police following the tragic event, with separate trials pursued after initially planning to be tried together. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and the need to ensure the safety of children in the community.