Several teenagers were tragically killed in a 2021 Michigan school shooting. During the court proceedings, the parents of the victims passionately addressed the judge, urging them to impose the maximum sentence on the parents of the school shooter, Ethan Crumbley. Their heartfelt pleas came just before the judge sentenced the parents to 10 to 15 years in prison each.
James and Jennifer Crumbley have been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in two separate trials, with each count corresponding to one of the victims they caused the death of. The victims are Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17.
Nicole Beausoleil, the mother of 17-year-old Baldwin, took the stage and shared heartfelt words about her daughter and the immense pain she has experienced since her passing. She expressed that the pain will continue to linger for an eternity.
Beausoleil, his voice trembling with emotion, expressed his deep sorrow for the loss of four precious lives. Through tear-filled eyes, he acknowledged the immense pain caused by their untimely departure from this world.
“You have failed as parents,” she continued solemnly. “No punishment you face will ever be enough. It will never bring her back.”
Beausoleil expressed his disgust at the “lack of compassion” demonstrated by the Crumbley parents.
“I hold you responsible for the choices you made, as they tragically resulted in the loss of my life and my daughter’s life. You made the decision to neglect your parental responsibilities and ignore your son’s needs. By doing so, you denied me the opportunity to experience motherhood,” Beausoleil expressed with deep anguish.
Prosecutors had requested a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years for each parent, which exceeded the recommended seven-year guideline for this case. The parents’ attorneys, on the other hand, advocated for time served, as both parents have been incarcerated since December 2021.
Shilling’s parents took the opportunity to share their thoughts on Tuesday. They expressed their feelings regarding their son’s untimely death.
“In court, Jill Soave, the mother of Justin Shilling, expressed admiration for her son’s bravery as he selflessly shielded a fellow student in his final moments.”
According to Soave, both cases are “deeply disturbing.”
“The devastating consequences of James and Jennifer’s inaction have affected all of us deeply. This heartbreaking incident could have been avoided entirely. If only they had taken some action, any action, on November 3rd, our four beloved angels would still be with us today,” expressed Soave.
According to Soave, it would have been better if the parents had chosen to take their son for counseling instead of purchasing a gun. Additionally, he believes that if they had taken steps to secure the gun, spoken up during their visit to the counseling office, checked their son’s backpack, or decided to take him home or to counseling instead of leaving him at school, the situation could have been prevented.
As she sat down, Soave took a moment to read the heartfelt birthday card that her son had given her. She couldn’t help but feel touched as she perused the words on the card, which beautifully captured the essence of the love shared between a mother and her son.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Soave expressed deep sorrow over the apparent lack of love and desire for their son by both individuals. In stark contrast, Soave emphasized their own wholehearted love and cherished bond with their own child. The failure to prioritize their son’s well-being was not only a personal disappointment but also a collective letdown for everyone involved.
“It’s been almost two and a half years, and I can assure you that the wounds still feel as raw as ever,” expressed Craig Shilling.
“I must admit that I experience a myriad of emotions on a daily basis – pain, anger, heartache, regret, anxiety, stress, and so much more,” he candidly expressed.
“You have created an everlasting failure with your mistakes,” she said. “You have caused the most cruel thing I can ever imagine.”