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James Crumbley: Father of Michigan school gunman convicted of manslaughter James Crumbley: Father of Michigan school gunman convicted of manslaughter
(about 2 hours later)
Watch: Moment father of school shooter is convicted of manslaughterWatch: Moment father of school shooter is convicted of manslaughter
Watch: Moment father of school shooter is convicted of manslaughterWatch: Moment father of school shooter is convicted of manslaughter
The father of a Michigan school shooter who killed four students has been convicted of manslaughter. The father of a Michigan school gunman who killed four students has been convicted of manslaughter.
The trial heard that James Crumbley, 47, had ignored his 15-year-old son's mental health needs and bought him the handgun he used in the November 2021 attack. The trial heard that James Crumbley, 47, had ignored his 15-year-old son's mental health needs, buying him the handgun he used in the November 2021 attack.
The jury deliberated for just over a day before coming to the verdict.The jury deliberated for just over a day before coming to the verdict.
Jennifer Crumbley, his wife, is due to be sentenced next month after being convicted on the same charges.Jennifer Crumbley, his wife, is due to be sentenced next month after being convicted on the same charges.
Crumbley was in court for the verdict and appeared to show little reaction as it was read out. James Crumbley was in court on Thursday evening for the verdict and appeared to show little reaction as it was read out.
The case against the Crumbleys marks the first time parents have been charged with manslaughter over their child's role in a shooting in the US.The case against the Crumbleys marks the first time parents have been charged with manslaughter over their child's role in a shooting in the US.
Their son, Ethan, killed fellow students Tate Myre, 16; Hana St Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. He is serving a sentence of life in prison without parole. Their son, Ethan, killed fellow students Tate Myre, 16; Hana St Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. Seven people were also injured in the shooting.
Seven people were also injured in the shooting. He is serving a sentence of life in prison without parole.
Steve St Juliana, Hana's father, said on Thursday evening that the prosecution of the Crumbleys was "just the beginning steps" when it came to dealing with gun violence in the US.
"Our children are dying on a daily basis in mass murders and we do very little about this," he said.
"We can put people on the Moon, we can build skyscrapers, huge monuments like the Hoover Dam and we can't keep our kids safe in schools."
When parents get the blame for a child's mass shootingWhen parents get the blame for a child's mass shooting
Ven Johnson, an attorney representing the victims' families, said in a statement that the verdicts against James and Jennifer Crumbley "won't bring back the lives of these four students, but it represents one more step towards holding everyone responsible accountable under the law". The numbers behind the rise in US mass shootings
In her closing arguments to the jury of six men and six women earlier this week, prosecutor Karen McDonald called the attack at the Oxford High School "preventable and foreseeable". Prosecutor Karen McDonald, speaking at a press conference with parents of the four victims, said the verdict "does not bring back their children but it does mark a moment of accountability''.
She added that Crumbley's alleged actions were "rare and egregious". "These parents [the Crumbleys] could have prevented this tragedy with just the smallest of efforts," she said.
Earlier this week in her closing arguments to the jury of six men and six women, Ms McDonald called the attack at the Oxford High School "preventable and foreseeable".
She added that James Crumbley's actions had been "rare and egregious".
Watch: Jennifer Crumbley's landmark trial... in 96 secondsWatch: Jennifer Crumbley's landmark trial... in 96 seconds
Watch: Jennifer Crumbley's landmark trial... in 96 secondsWatch: Jennifer Crumbley's landmark trial... in 96 seconds
He did not take even the slightest measures to ensure his son was not a threat after giving him a semi-automatic pistol as a gift, said the prosecutor.He did not take even the slightest measures to ensure his son was not a threat after giving him a semi-automatic pistol as a gift, said the prosecutor.
Prosecutors also said the Crumbleys had not done enough to address their son's declining mental health.
On the morning of the shooting, the two parents cut short a school meeting about a disturbing drawing their son had made to go to work and had declined to take him home.
School officials sent him back to class without checking his backpack, which contained a gun.
When Crumbley heard about the shooting, he rushed home from his job as a DoorDash delivery driver, looking for the weapon, the trial heard.When Crumbley heard about the shooting, he rushed home from his job as a DoorDash delivery driver, looking for the weapon, the trial heard.
His defence lawyer, Mariell Lehman, argued that "James had no idea that his son was having a hard time". Crumbley's defence lawyer, Mariell Lehman, argued that "James had no idea that his son was having a hard time".
Crumbley did not testify, unlike his wife, who took the stand during her trial and tried to blame her husband. She faces up to 60 years in prison. Crumbley did not testify, unlike his wife, who took the stand during her trial and tried to blame her husband.
Jennifer Crumbley and her husband bought the 9mm Sig Sauer pistol their son used just days before the shooting.Jennifer Crumbley and her husband bought the 9mm Sig Sauer pistol their son used just days before the shooting.
They were charged by police within days of the killings. Police had to search for the pair and found them in an industrial building in Detroit following a tip from the public. Prosecutors said the Crumbleys had also failed to ensure the weapon was safely stored.
"Parents and gun owners have a responsibility to prevent children from accessing deadly weapons," said Nick Suplina, with the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, in a statement, adding the verdict "further underscores this critical duty of responsible gun ownership".
The Crumbleys were charged by police within days of the killings.
Initially, the parents were supposed to be tried together but in November sought separate trials.Initially, the parents were supposed to be tried together but in November sought separate trials.
Both are scheduled to be sentenced on 9 April. A count of manslaughter carries a penalty of up to 15 years.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
US gun violenceUS gun violence
MichiganMichigan
United StatesUnited States