In a Michigan courtroom, the parents who became the first to be charged and convicted for their child’s mass shooting at a U.S. school received their sentences on Tuesday. They were both sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison after facing the families of the victims during the emotional sentencing hearing in Pontiac.
James Crumbley, 47, and Jennifer Crumbley, 46, both received their sentences consecutively from Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews. This marked the first time they appeared together since their joint hearings were separated last fall. Their son, Ethan Crumbley, who is now 17 years old, had previously pleaded guilty as an adult for the 2021 shooting at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit and has already been sentenced to life in prison.
Oakland County prosecutors requested a sentencing decision that aligned with Matthews’ after both parents were convicted on four counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the students their son killed.
Matthews assured the Crumbleys that the jury’s convictions were not a reflection of their parenting skills. Instead, it was pointed out that they had consistently disregarded warning signs that any reasonable person would have noticed.
“These convictions validate the occurrence of multiple actions that had the potential to stop an approaching out-of-control train,” she remarked.
The couple will receive credit for the time they have already served in an Oakland County jail since their arrests following the shooting on November 30, 2021. During the sentencing, the pair sat separately at the defense table, with their lawyers by their side. The families of the four students who lost their lives requested the maximum penalties to be imposed.
“When you sent the text, ‘Ethan don’t do it,’ I was sending a text that said, ‘Madisyn I love you, please call mom,'” Nicole Beausoleil, the mother of shooting victim Madisyn Baldwin, 17, expressed to the Crumbleys. “While you learned about the lives your son took on that day, I was still anxiously waiting for my daughter in the parking lot.”
Through tears, she expressed her dismay, stating, “I find your lack of compassion utterly disgusting.”
According to Jill Soave, the mother of Justin Shilling, a 17-year-old student who was killed during the shooting, the parents’ lack of action on that day “failed their son and failed us all.”
Craig Shilling, Justin’s father, expressed his concern over Jennifer Crumbley’s testimony during her trial. He found it troubling that she claimed she would not have changed anything, even if given the chance today.
“You also have the blood of our children on your hands,” Craig Shilling declared.
James Crumbley was dressed in an orange jumpsuit and wore headphones to assist with his hearing. On the other hand, Jennifer Crumbley was wearing a gray-and-white jumpsuit. Despite being in close proximity, James did not make eye contact with his wife, while she discreetly glanced in his direction.
According to Michigan prosecutors, when multiple felonies stem from the same event, they must be served concurrently. Therefore, the maximum sentence that could have been imposed on the parents is 15 years in total. While the prosecution sought sentences that went beyond the advisory guideline range, the final decision rested with Judge Matthews, who had the authority to consider factors such as the parents’ prior criminal history and the specific circumstances of their crimes.
Jennifer Crumbley, prior to her sentencing, expressed her sincere remorse, regret, and grief regarding the shooting incident. However, she also shifted some of the responsibility onto the school officials and took offense to the prosecution’s portrayal of her as a neglectful mother.
“We were good parents,” Crumbley said. “Our family was just like any other, not without flaws, but filled with immense love for our son and each other.”
During the court proceedings, James Crumbley took the opportunity to speak directly to the judge. He made it clear that he had no prior knowledge of his son’s intentions to carry out the tragic attack at the school. With remorse in his voice, he expressed to the families of the victims that he would have taken a different course of action had he known about the impending violence.
“I deeply apologize for the loss you have experienced due to my son’s actions,” he expressed with genuine remorse. “Words cannot adequately convey the depth of my regret for not being aware of his struggles or foreseeing the tragic outcome.”
During Tuesday’s sentencing, Matthews made it clear that the family will not be staying together. The state Corrections Department has informed that James and Ethan Crumbley will not be placed in the same facility due to their relationship. Ethan is currently being held in a state prison, which is located 17 miles away from Oxford High School. As for Jennifer Crumbley, she will be sent to the state’s sole women’s prison.
James and Jennifer Crumbley have been unable to communicate with each other due to a no-contact order since their arrests.
Prosecutors have stated that the “gross negligence” of both parents resulted in a lasting impact on the entire community.
According to prosecutors, both individuals had the power to prevent the shooting by taking simple yet tragic actions. They failed to respond appropriately when faced with a grave and imminent danger.
Legal experts had put forth the possibility that James Crumbley might have received a more severe sentence compared to his wife, as prosecutors alleged that he had made threats while in jail.
Throughout his trial, Matthews limited his communication to his attorney and members of the clergy.
According to the sentencing memo for James Crumbley, there are allegations that he made threats against the prosecutor. The memo also states that his jail calls exhibit a complete lack of remorse, and he tends to place blame on others rather than taking responsibility himself.
According to prosecutors, the memo provides details of the profanity-laden threats that he supposedly directed at the prosecutor during several recorded jail calls. Prior to the trial, he allegedly stated, “Karen McDonald, you’re going down,” in one of the calls. Prosecutors also claim that he made additional threats of retaliation in other calls.
According to court documents, James Crumbley’s lawyer, Mariell Lehman, stated that although the calls made by Crumbley did not contain any physical threats towards the prosecutor, he did express his strong desire to hold McDonald accountable for her actions in the case, with the aim of preventing her from practicing law in the future.
According to Lehman, Mr. Crumbley is expressing his frustrations to his loved ones regarding the insufficient investigation conducted by the prosecution before pressing charges. Lehman stated that her client is understandably upset about his current predicament.
Lehman has not indicated whether she intends to appeal the verdict of James Crumbley, while Jennifer Crumbley’s lawyer, Shannon Smith, has stated that she will.
Two separate trials
This Article Includes
During his trial, James Crumbley did not testify. However, his wife took the stand and claimed that it was her husband’s responsibility to secure the 9 mm semiautomatic handgun that was used in the shooting.
When the jurors asked Jennifer Crumbley if she would have done anything differently, she confidently replied, “I don’t believe I have failed as a parent.”
Her defense lawyer tried to depict her as a loving mother, even though she was unaware of her son’s capacity for violence. Instead, they implied that the school had not adequately informed her of his issues, and that her husband was the one responsible for the weapon.
In her sentencing memo, Smith continued to advocate for her client’s defense.
In a powerful statement, Smith argued that it is both sexist and misogynistic to criticize Mrs. Crumbley for not being frequently present at home.
Jennifer Crumbley reflected in a pre-sentence report that she now realizes she would have approached the situation in a different manner.
Looking back on the situation with the knowledge I possess today, my response would undoubtedly be completely different,” she expressed. “If given the opportunity to travel back in time, there are numerous aspects that I would alter.”
Both she and her husband were primarily focused on the day of the shooting during their trials.
The day after Thanksgiving, prosecutors stated that James Crumbley purchased a handgun for their son, while Jennifer Crumbley took him to a gun range over the weekend.
The school officials called for a meeting with the parents after making the discovery. However, they testified that the parents refused to bring the child home as they had to return to work.
According to officials, had the parents informed them about their son’s access to a gun, they would have taken more decisive action to ensure immediate safety.
Victims’ families want accountability
The victims’ families are demanding more accountability in the wake of the trials. They are calling for modifications to governmental immunity laws that shield schools from lawsuits and are advocating for independent reviews to be mandatory following any mass shooting.
During Tuesday’s sentencing, Buck Myre, the father of Tate Myre, expressed that the families still desire a government-led investigation.
He urged the judge to take action and drive genuine change from this tragic incident.
James Crumbley took the opportunity to speak and directly addressed Buck Myre.
“It’s about time that we all get to know the truth,” he exclaimed. “I, too, am eager for the truth, as it has been kept from us.”
Read More:
- Plan to provide tax benefits for rentals that allow pets moving forward
- California Democrats propose increasing arrests and prosecutions for shoplifting