Trial Begins for Father of Michigan School Shooter Accused of Negligence
The trial has begun for James Crumbley, the father of the Michigan school shooter who killed four students in 2021. Prosecutors argue that Crumbley missed an “incredible opportunity” to prevent the tragedy and should be held responsible for his son’s actions. The trial will determine whether a second parent will face charges for the attack.
Prosecutor Marc Keast emphasized that the case is not about bad parenting but about preventable mass murder. He pointed out that James Crumbley, along with his son, purchased a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun just four days before the shooting. However, Crumbley failed to inform school staff about the purchase or a trip to a shooting range that occurred the same weekend. This information was only revealed when he and his wife were called to discuss a disturbing drawing on their son’s math assignment, which depicted a gun, blood drops, and a bullet with the phrase “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me.”
Defense attorney Mariell Lehman argued that Crumbley was unaware of his son’s plans and should not be held accountable. Lehman stated that prosecutors were using the sketch to imply that Crumbley knew what his son was planning, but that was not the case. During the meeting with school staff, Jennifer Crumbley messaged her husband with the word “Emergency,” and he responded with shock upon seeing the drawing. However, neither parent took Ethan home, and the school did not demand it either, despite concerns about his mental state. The shooting occurred later that afternoon, lasting only nine minutes.
Keast criticized Crumbley for spending hours making deliveries for DoorDash instead of seizing the opportunity to address his son’s distress and secure the weapon. He presented a picture of an unused gun lock as evidence. While Crumbley is not accused of knowing about his son’s plan, he is accused of being grossly negligent by not securing the gun.
Lehman suggested that Crumbley might testify in his own defense or that his beliefs about the gun and Ethan’s behavior will come out during the trial. She assured the jurors that Crumbley was unaware of his son’s access to the firearm and did not suspect him of being a danger.
The Crumbleys are the first parents in the United States to be charged with criminal responsibility for a mass school shooting committed by their child. Prosecutors allege that in addition to failing to secure the gun, the Crumbleys ignored Ethan’s pleas for help with his mental distress. Text messages introduced by investigator Ed Wagrowski revealed that Ethan told a friend that his father’s response was to “suck it up.” Ethan also expressed feelings of mental and physical deterioration months before the shooting.
Judge Cheryl Matthews made rulings before the trial that could benefit James Crumbley. She stated that prosecutors cannot use text messages between Ethan and his mother, Jennifer, which suggested that he was experiencing hallucinations about demons. These messages were used as evidence in Jennifer’s trial.
The first witness in the trial was Molly Darnell, a faculty member who was shot by a bullet that went through her office door. Darnell, one of seven people wounded that day, showed jurors the spot on her upper left arm where she was shot. She revealed that she texted her husband while hiding behind a cabinet but did not mention being shot until later in the message.
Ethan Crumbley, now 17 years old, is serving a life prison sentence for murder and terrorism. Jennifer Crumbley, 45 years old, is scheduled to return to court for her sentencing on April 9, with a potential minimum prison term of up to 10 years. The trial of James Crumbley will determine whether he will also face charges for his role in the tragic school shooting.