Jury deliberations are underway in Oakland County for the case against Jennifer Crumbley, mother of school shooter Ethan Crumbley, charged with involuntary manslaughter for the four murders her son committed at Oxford High School in 2021.
Trial wrapped up Friday afternoon after nearly seven days of testimony, including that of Jennifer Crumbley, the only witness presented by the defense.
This is the first time in the United States that a parent has been charged in connection with a school shooting.
The prosecution’s case is built on two theories: Jennifer Crumbley failed to perform a legal duty to “exercise reasonable care” in controlling her son and preventing the shootings, and that she “willfully neglected” or refused to perform that duty.
Jennifer Crumbley, 45, is accused of allowing access to the 9mm handgun and ammunition her son used in the shootings, and not properly addressing his mental health needs.
Defense attorney Shannon Smith counters those claims, characterizing Jennifer Crumbley as a much-involved parent to a son who might have appeared sad on occasion, but never exhibited signs that he would carry out a school shooting. And Jennifer Crumbley, in her testimony, insists it was the responsibility of her husband, James Crumbley — Ethan Crumbley’s father — to keep their firearms locked and stored.
Weighing in on the case, Cooley Law Professor Lewis Langham told The Oakland Press: “It really boils down to what a reasonable person, in Jennifer Crumbley’s situation, would have done based on what she knew beforehand…would a reasonable parent have taken action on behalf of her son to get him the help he needed?”
Langham also said that if Jennifer Crumbley is found guilty, that doesn’t mean “all parents of people charged, or even a small number of parents of people charged” will face related charges like the Crumbley parents do.
“This is a somewhat unique case,” he said. “A lot of evidence implied Jennifer and James Crumbley should have taken some action.”
Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews spent approximately 20 minutes reading jury instructions Monday morning, then drew five jurors’ numbers to designate them as alternates. Twelve jurors will decide the verdict.
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Matthews reminded jurors that a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt, and that the case is to be decided only on evidence presented during the trial. She also told the jury that when considering whether or not Jennifer Crumbley fled authorities prior to being arrested in Detroit four days after the mass shooting, that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s guilty of the charges. Prosecutors claim Jennifer Crumbley did flee — along with her husband, James Crumbley who faces the same charges — while defense attorney Shannon Smith has said the Crumbleys had left their home because of death threats and other safety concerns, and had planned to turn themselves in, accompanied by their lawyers.
In her instructions, Matthews said: “A person may run and hide for innocent reasons, such as panic, mistake or fear. However, a person may also run or hide because of consciousness of guilt.”
Ethan Crumbley, 17, is serving life in prison after pleading guilty to all 24 crimes he was charged with; his attorneys say he plans to appeal. James Crumbley’s trial is scheduled for March.