New York, USA – The father of the Michigan teenager responsible for the tragic shooting at Oxford High School, that resulted in the deaths of four students, is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter. James Crumbley, 47, is accused of negligence for purportedly ignoring his son’s mental health issues and purchasing a firearm for him. His wife, Jennifer Crumbley, was previously convicted of manslaughter in relation to the incident.
During the trial, Mr. Crumbley’s defense argued that he had no knowledge of his son’s intentions and therefore could not have prevented the tragedy. However, prosecutors maintain that Mr. Crumbley missed multiple opportunities to intervene and potentially avert the shooting that took place on November 30, 2021.
The case stands out as the first instance where parents have been charged with manslaughter following their child’s involvement in a school shooting. The couple’s son, Ethan, who was 15 at the time of the incident, is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murders of Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, and Justin Shilling.
During the trial proceedings, it was revealed that school officials had expressed concerns about Ethan’s behavior and had even recommended mental health treatment for him. However, the Crumbleys allegedly failed to act on these recommendations, with Mr. Crumbley reportedly dismissing his son’s mental health issues in text messages exchanged with his wife.
Prosecutors presented evidence showing that the Crumbleys had gifted Ethan a weapon shortly before the shooting and had not securely stored it. Additionally, they displayed text messages from Ethan indicating that his father had left the gun out, allowing him easy access to it.
Witnesses, including a teacher injured in the shooting, testified during the trial, shedding light on the events leading up to the tragic incident. The prosecutor emphasized that the shooting was preventable if Mr. Crumbley had taken necessary steps to address his son’s mental health and access to firearms.
If convicted, Mr. Crumbley could face up to 60 years in prison, similar to the sentence his wife may receive for her role in the tragedy. The trial continues with a focus on determining the extent of Mr. Crumbley’s accountability in the devastating school shooting.