The manslaughter trial for James Crumbley, the father of Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley, is set to begin Tuesday with jury selection.
James Crumbley is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the four students killed when Ethan, then 15 years old, opened fire in November 2021.
James Crumbley’s trial comes just weeks after his wife, Jennifer Crumbley, was found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the shooting. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 9.
The two parents had been set to face trial together, but a judge separated the cases in November.
Ethan Crumbley was sentenced to life in prison without parole over the shooting. He pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree premeditated murder and terrorism causing death, in October 2022.
Attorneys for James Crumbley filed a motion to move his trial arguing that pretrial media coverage would seriously impact the court’s ability to find an impartial jury, especially after his wife was found guilty, but that request was denied. In another blow to his defense, a judge last week allowed his son’s journals and text messages to be included in the trial. Both played a prominent role in Jennifer Crumbley’s trial.
Jennifer Crumbley, left, and James Crumbley, right, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, a teenager accused of killing four students in a shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford, Mich., appear in court for a preliminary examination on involuntary manslaughter charges in Rochester Hills, Mich., Feb. 8, 2022.
Paul Sancya/AP
Both parents’ trials are a rare case of facing charges over a shooting carried out by their child.
During her trial, Jennifer Crumbley alleged that securing the gun used in the shooting was James Crumbley’s responsibility. Her attorney also argued that she did not know guns well.
The shooter’s parents purchased him the gun he used in the shooting as a gift and had taken him to a shooting range before the attack. During Jennifer Crumbley’s trial, prosecutors argued that the parents did not secure the gun or limit their son’s access to it. The safe used to hold the family’s guns had a combination lock of 0-0-0, the factory preset, according to prosecutors.
During Jennifer Crumbley’s trial, prosecutors discussed a video of Ethan holding one of James Crumbley’s firearms that was sent from the shooter’s phone to one of his friends. After sending the video, he sent a message that said, “My dad left it out so I thought. ‘Why not’ lol.”
Extensive testimony during his wife’s trial also centered around a meeting between Jennifer and James Crumbley with school officials hours before the shooting when they did not take him home after a teacher found violent drawings by Ethan on a class assignment.
Jennifer Crumbley took the stand in her own defense during her trial, though it’s not clear whether her husband will do the same. It was also revealed during her trial that she was having multiple affairs at the time of the shooting.
The trial for James Crumbley, the husband of Jennifer Crumbley who was recently convicted in connection to their son’s school shooting, is set to begin soon. The tragic incident took place at Oxford High School in Michigan, where their 15-year-old son Ethan Crumbley opened fire, killing four students and injuring seven others.
James Crumbley is facing multiple charges including involuntary manslaughter, as prosecutors argue that he played a role in the events leading up to the shooting. According to authorities, the Crumbleys ignored warning signs and failed to secure the firearm used in the shooting, allowing their son access to it.
The case has sparked a national conversation about gun control, parental responsibility, and school safety. Many are questioning how such a tragedy could have been prevented and what measures can be taken to ensure the safety of students in schools across the country.
The trial is expected to be highly emotional and closely watched by the public. Prosecutors will likely present evidence showing that James Crumbley was aware of his son’s troubling behavior and failed to take appropriate action. Defense attorneys may argue that he was not directly involved in the planning or execution of the shooting and should not be held responsible.
The outcome of the trial could have far-reaching implications for similar cases in the future. It will also serve as a reminder of the devastating impact that gun violence can have on communities and families.
As the trial approaches, there are calls for increased awareness of mental health issues, better communication between parents and schools, and stricter gun control measures. It is hoped that justice will be served for the victims of the Oxford High School shooting and that steps will be taken to prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future.
