Michigan School Gunman’s Father Convicted of Manslaughter
In a groundbreaking case, the father of a Michigan school gunman who tragically killed four students has been found guilty of manslaughter.
The trial revealed that James Crumbley, 47, disregarded his 15-year-old son’s mental health needs, even going as far as purchasing the handgun used in the November 2021 attack.
After just over a day of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict.
His wife, Jennifer Crumbley, is also facing sentencing next month after being convicted on the same charges.
James Crumbley was present in court on Thursday evening for the verdict, displaying minimal reaction as it was delivered.
This case against the Crumbleys sets a precedent as the first instance where parents have been held accountable for manslaughter related to their child’s involvement in a shooting in the United States.
Their son, Ethan, took the lives of fellow students Tate Myre, 16; Hana St Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. Additionally, seven individuals sustained injuries during the incident.
Ethan is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Steve St Juliana, Hana’s father, remarked that the prosecution of the Crumbleys represents just the initial steps towards addressing gun violence in the country.
Expressing his grief, he emphasized, “Our children are dying on a daily basis in mass murders and we do very little about this.”
Prosecutor Karen McDonald, addressing a press conference alongside parents of the victims, stated that while the verdict cannot bring back their children, it does mark a moment of accountability.
She highlighted the fact that the tragedy could have been prevented with minimal effort on the part of the Crumbleys.
The prosecution argued that the parents failed to take necessary actions to address their son’s deteriorating mental health.
Details emerged that on the day of the shooting, the Crumbleys cut short a school meeting regarding a troubling drawing by their son, opting to continue with work commitments instead of addressing the situation.
When news of the shooting reached Crumbley, he rushed home from his job as a DoorDash delivery driver in search of the weapon used in the attack.
While Jennifer Crumbley testified during her trial and attempted to shift blame to her husband, James did not take the stand.
The couple had purchased the 9mm Sig Sauer pistol used by their son just days before the tragic event, failing to ensure its safe storage.
The advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety emphasized the importance of responsible gun ownership, stressing the obligation of parents and gun owners to prevent children from accessing deadly weapons.
Both James and Jennifer Crumbley were charged shortly after the incident, with separate trials requested and scheduled for sentencing on 9 April. The charge of manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 15 years. — BBC
