Article Summary –
James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of the teenager involved in the 2021 school shooting in Oxford, Michigan, are due for sentencing after being convicted of manslaughter. Both parents face up to 15 years in prison, with the prosecution requesting 10 to 15 years each due to a perceived lack of remorse. The case is significant as it marks the first time parents of a school shooter were charged with manslaughter, pushing the boundaries of accountability for mass shootings.
Parents of the Oxford School Shooting Perpetrator, James and Jennifer Crumbley, to be Sentenced
James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of the teenager who committed the Oxford, Michigan school shooting in 2021, are due for sentencing on Tuesday, following their manslaughter conviction. Facing up to 15 years in prison, they have already spent over two years in jail since their arrest post-shooting.
Prosecutors have asked for each parent to be sentenced to 10 to 15 years in state prison, citing their “chilling lack of remorse”. James Crumbley, in particular, has been noted for making threats against Prosecuting Attorney Karen McDonald.
The defense, however, has requested less than five years in prison for each parent. Jennifer Crumbley’s defense attorney has requested house arrest for her, stating she is “hugely distraught and remorseful” over the shootings and wishes to rebuild her life.
The sentence will be announced following the victims and their families sharing the impacts of the shooting. This case, which sees the parents prosecuted for their role in the shooting, marks a novel legal theory in mass shooting responsibility.
Ethan Crumbley, the shooter, brought a firearm from home and perpetrated the shooting at Oxford High School, killing four students and injuring several others. His parents were subsequently arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Prosecutors argued the parents were “grossly negligent” for allowing their son access to the gun and ignoring signs of his deteriorating mental health. They presented evidence showing the firearm was purchased for Ethan four days before the shooting, and that his parents failed to secure it properly.
Further, the parents declined to remove Ethan from school or seek mental health treatment following disturbing writings discovered on his math worksheet. Despite school employees’ recommendations, Ethan was sent back to class where he initiated the shooting a couple of hours later.
Both parents were convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter early this year. Jennifer Crumbley testified at her trial, denying any personal regret while blaming her husband, the school, and her son for the shooting.
James Crumbley, on the other hand, did not testify at his trial. His attorney argued he was unaware of his son’s plans or mental health issues. Despite their defense, the parents are awaiting their sentence following their convictions.
Ethan Crumbley was sentenced last year to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to terrorism causing death, four counts of murder, and 19 other related charges.
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