With a number of attorney challenges still under consideration for James Crumbley’s upcoming trial, Judge Cheryl Matthews ruled Wednesday to allow testimony from the original owner of the handgun used in the Oxford mass shooting — which James Crumbley bought four days before his son, Ethan Crumbley, opened fire at his school, killing four fellow students and wounding seven others.
At a hearing in Oakland County Circuit Court, Matthews’ sided with the prosecution’s claim that testimony from the former owner, Kyle Keaser, could be relevant in James Crumbley’s trial, scheduled to start March 5. In particular, Matthews agreed with assistant prosecutor Marc Keast’s argument that Keaser’s testimony about the condition of the cable lock he sold back with the gun is evidence the jury should hear.
According to Keast, Keaser bought the 9mm Sig Sauer from a gun store in Oxford in May 2021 and sold it back with its cable lock unused on Nov. 13, 2021. James Crumbley purchased the gun and lock on Nov. 26.
James Crumbley, 47, is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter for the four murders his son carried out at Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021. He’s accused of gross negligence and failing to perform a legal duty to prevent the mass shooting.
How the firearm was stored is expected to be a key issue in the trial.
Keaser was one of four people recently added to the prosecution’s witness list — a move challenged by defense attorney Mariell Lehman who stated earlier that the prosecution demonstrated “no good cause” to amend the list. The other three recently added were eyewitnesses to the mass shooting, all Oxford High students at the time. Keast told the judge Wednesday that only two of the then-student eyewitnesses — who are now adults — will be called to testify, and noted that the witness list was amended 30 days prior to the trial’s start date.
Lehman argues that eyewitness testimony is irrelevant in James Crumbley’s case because he is not charged with shooting anyone; the prosecution’s intent for calling eyewitnesses to the stand “is to inflame the emotions of the jury” rather than prove James Crumbley knew his son planned to shoot up the school.
Unresolved issues
Matthews has yet to rule on allowing the additional eyewitnesses to testify, along with several other motions before her regarding photographic evidence, moving James Crumbley’s trial out of Oakland County, and the latest challenge from the defense regarding Ethan Crumbley’s journal and text messages to a friend. As previously revealed, the journal and text messages include entries about plans to carry out the shooting and other violent actions, as well as needing and wanting help with mental health issues.
Lehman argues that they shouldn’t be introduced as evidence because, according to Ethan Crumbley’s new attorneys, the teenage mass murderer will refuse to testify if called to the stand, citing his planned appeal.
Ethan Crumbley, 17, is serving a sentence of life in prison after pleading guilty to all 24 crimes he was charged with for the shooting. The then-15-year-old killed Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16, Justin Shilling 17, and Hana St. Juliana, 14; six other students and a teacher also suffered bullet wounds.
Ethan Crumbley’s mother, Jennifer Crumbley, was found guilty earlier this month of the same four counts of involuntary manslaughter James Crumbley faces. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 9.
Update: Cops share more info about shooting outside Troy restaurant; search for suspect’s vehicle
Woman accused of killing own child in drunk driving crash opts out of trial