Jennifer Crumbley was connected with her son Ethan Crumbley’s mass shooting at Oxford High School on November 2021. 45-year-old was found guilty for manslaughter and is now the first parent in the United States to face charges in connection with her child’s shooting at a school. Some children sadly didn’t make it while others were injured including a teacher.
There was a verdict in Oxford, Michigan where 13 people were having discussions for 10 hours. Six men, six women, and a jury. The police detained Crumbley after the judgment was rendered. Her partner James Crumbley has pleaded not guilty and will face a different trial on the same allegations but at later time.
During the trial, twenty-two people witnesses, including Crumbley herself, testified on behalf of the prosecution. Their testimonies portrayed a narrative where Crumbley was stated that she neglected her son’s mental health issues, provided him access to a firearm, and remained calm in response to his behavior and disturbing drawings at school. The prosecution stated that Crumbley had an obligation to inform the school that her son used a weapon at a shooting range before the tragic incident.
The events leading up to the school shooting revealed interesting details about Crumbley’s claim. The school later then called the parents for a meeting after discovering a drawing of Ethan’s assignment, they decided to let him stay in school even though they were concerned about his behavior. Hours later Ethan retrieved the 9mm firearm from his backpack and began the shooting. The lawyers presented Ethan’s drawings that show the firearm used in the attack, arguing that Jennifer Crumbley was aware of its existence in their home.
Furthermore, prosecutors accused Crumbley of disregarding her son’s mental health struggles, for example his notebook that was found after the shooting. They alleged that Crumbley’s preoccupation with her affair was the reason why her ability to recognize Ethan’s unstable mental state was blocked from her mind. There were text messages between Crumbley and Ethan that was presented as evidence and showing the lack of emotional connection between the two.
During Jennifer’s testimony, she tried to blame all the responsibility to her husband for firearm-related matters. She admitted to not participating in firearm safety measures, and claiming that the firearm-related decisions were made from her husband’s domains. While she acknowledged her lack of objection to the firearm and recalled a “fun day” at the shooting range with Ethan, she kept her ground and her limited involvement in firearm-related matters.
Jennifer Crumbley may get a maximum term of 60 years in jail if found guilty. She apologized for Ethan’s actions but did not present herself as a victim. Both parents are unable to get bail while awaiting trial, so they have been detained for more than two years.
In conclusion, it has been determined that Jennifer Crumley committed manslaughter in connection with Ethan‘s horrific shooting at a school. She was accused of carelessness during the trial because she gave her son access to the gun and not paying attention to her son’s mental health issues.
Articles used:
https://nypost.com/2024/02/06/news/verdict-reached-against-michigan-school-shooters-mother/
https://nypost.com/2024/02/02/news/jennifer-crumbley-blames-husband-for-school-shooter-sons-gun/
