Jennifer Crumbley has been convicted of manslaughter in the Oxford High School shooting. The jury in Michigan found her guilty after she purchased a firearm for her teenage son and disregarded numerous warning signs regarding his troubling behavior before the tragic incident.
The verdict was reached on Tuesday morning following over 10 hours of deliberation by the jurors. Jennifer Crumbley, 45, entered a plea of not guilty to four counts of involuntary manslaughter in the case.
Each count represents one of the four classmates who tragically lost their lives – Madiyson Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Justin Shilling, 17; and Hana St. Juliana, 14 – due to the actions of her son.
In December, her son, Ethan Crumbley, received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the tragic incident in which he took the lives of four of his classmates in the mass shooting that occurred on November 30, 2021.
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This is a groundbreaking verdict, as it marks the first time a parent has been held accountable for their alleged involvement in a mass school shooting carried out by their own child. Her demeanor remained stoic as the verdict was announced in court.
During the trial, it was alleged that Jennifer Crumbley failed to address her son’s troubling behavior and allowed him to have easy access to the 9mm handgun used in the violent incident.
Only four days prior to the tragic incident, Ethan and his father, James Crumbley, visited a gun store to acquire the firearm. Shortly after, Jennifer Crumbley brought her son to the shooting range, where the 15-year-old supposedly instructed her in shooting.
During the trial, the defense highlighted her husband’s strong affinity for guns and asserted that she would rely on his judgment regarding firearms, including the safekeeping of the 9mm handgun.
Jennifer Crumbley Unaware of Son’s Mental Problems
The defense also claimed that Jennifer Crumbley was an extremely cautious and attentive mother who deeply loved her son. However, the defense argued that she was unaware of his deteriorating mental condition and placed the blame on the school for failing to communicate their concerns to his mother.
At the heart of the case was the crucial meeting between the Crumbley parents and school officials that occurred just hours before the tragic incident unfolded.
Early in the morning on November 30, 2021, a teacher came across a concerning drawing made by Ethan. This led school administrators to arrange a meeting with his parents to discuss whether he should continue attending school or be taken home.
The parents made the decision for him to remain in school, where tragically, he took the lives of four of his classmates later that day.
The defense emphasized that the school staff provided Jennifer Crumbley with a choice and did not coerce her into taking her son home.
During the court proceedings, a recorded interview with the police following the incident was presented as evidence. In the video, Jennifer Crumbley can be heard expressing regret, saying, “I truly wish we had taken him home.”
The prosecution aimed to undermine the defense’s portrayal of Jennifer Crumbley as an overly cautious mother by highlighting the significant amount of time and money she invested in her horses and other distractions, such as her involvement with her former lover.