Mother of Michigan school shooter convicted of manslaughter, report says

By Brad Brooks

A Michigan jury has found the mother of a teenager who fatally shot four classmates at a Detroit-area high school guilty of manslaughter. Prosecutors argued that she and her husband were responsible because they provided their son with a gun and ignored evident warning signs of his violent behavior.

Jennifer Crumbley, 45, was convicted following a trial that marked a historic moment as it was believed to be the first instance in the United States where a parent faced a manslaughter charge directly related to their child’s involvement in a school shooting. She faced four counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the students killed during the 2021 incident at Oxford High School, and was found guilty on all counts.

Crumbley showed minimal reaction to the verdict as it was read in court. The jury began deliberations on Monday morning.

The crime of manslaughter carries a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years, with sentencing set for April 9. Her husband, James Crumbley, 47, is scheduled for his own trial on similar charges starting March 5.

The couple’s son, Ethan, was 15 during the shooting, which involved a semi-automatic handgun. He pleaded guilty in 2022 to four counts of first-degree murder and other charges, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in December.

Gun violence is an ongoing issue in the United States, with numerous school shootings occurring over the years, frequently committed by current or former students. Gun safety experts express hope that this case will prompt parents who own firearms to take better precautions in securing them, noting that research indicates about three-fourths of recent school shooters accessed firearms from their own homes.

During the trial, prosecutors asserted that Jennifer Crumbley, despite not pulling the trigger herself, exhibited negligent behavior by improperly storing the gun and ammunition, thereby warranting criminal accountability for the deaths. They contended that she and her husband were aware that Ethan was experiencing significant mental health challenges and posed a danger to others, yet they allowed him access to firearms, including the 9mm pistol initially gifted to him as a Christmas present.

Jennifer Crumbley’s defense attorney argued that she was not responsible for the purchase or storage of the gun used in the shootings, emphasizing that there were no clear signs suggesting her son would harm his peers and that she could not have reasonably anticipated the violence.

Jennifer Crumbley testified in her defense, claiming that her husband was primarily in charge of gun safety in their home. She explained that while Ethan displayed anxiety about his future and college, she did not believe it warranted psychiatric intervention.

During her closing arguments, the prosecutor asserted that Jennifer Crumbley had "done the unthinkable," while the defense urged jurors to find her not guilty based on the idea that her son’s actions were unforeseeable.

Josh Horwitz, co-director of the Center for Gun Violence Solutions at Johns Hopkins, commented that the conviction reflects a growing understanding that purchasing a handgun for a troubled teenager is grossly negligent and creates significant risks for the community.

In Michigan, individuals under 18 are permitted to possess firearms only under specific circumstances, such as hunting or target practice under adult supervision.

Prosecutors revealed that James Crumbley acquired the handgun used in the incident just four days before the November 30, 2021, shootings. On the morning of the tragedy, a teacher found disturbing drawings created by Ethan, which depicted a handgun, a bullet, and a bleeding figure, accompanied by phrases like "Blood everywhere" and "My life is useless."

The Crumbleys were called to the school that day and were informed that Ethan required counseling and should be taken home. However, prosecutors claimed the couple hesitated to take action, neglecting to search of his backpack or inquire about the gun.

Jennifer Crumbley contested this portrayal, asserting that it was agreed upon by school officials, herself, and her husband that Ethan would stay in school that day, and she did not perceive him as a threat to others. Following this, Ethan returned to class and later emerged from a bathroom armed, initiating the shooting spree.