Pontiac, Michigan – The manslaughter trial of James Crumbley is ongoing in a Michigan courtroom, following his wife Jennifer’s conviction for their son’s mass shooting at Oxford High School in 2021. The latest developments shed light on the events leading up to the tragic incident.
Forensic analyst Edward Wagrowski detailed James Crumbley’s movements on the day of the school shooting using cell phone data. It was revealed that after dropping his son off at school, Crumbley returned home before heading to a horse barn, where he stayed until receiving an urgent message from his wife at 9:33 a.m regarding their son’s concerning behavior.
The morning of the shooting, a disturbing drawing by Ethan Crumbley was found at the school, depicting violence and cries for help. Despite the alarming messages, the parents failed to take immediate action, opting to visit the school counselor instead of seeking mental health treatment for their son.
Evidence presented in court showed a lack of urgency on James and Jennifer Crumbley’s part, with James even working as a delivery driver for DoorDash after the school sent out an emergency notification. The sequence of events leading up to the tragedy reflected a series of missed opportunities to intervene and prevent the devastating outcome.
In addition to the parents’ actions, revelations from text conversations between Ethan and a friend in the months leading up to the shooting raised further concerns about his mental state and access to firearms. The texts highlighted Ethan’s struggles with mental health, including disturbing behavior like handling a loaded gun, which was seemingly overlooked by his parents.
The Crumbley case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of early intervention and proactive measures to address mental health issues, especially in the context of access to firearms. The tragic consequences of overlooking warning signs and failing to prioritize mental health support have had a lasting impact on the community and underscore the need for greater awareness and action in similar situations.