Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
By ED WHITE - Associated Press
Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
Uncredited - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jennifer Crumbley is taken into custody after a guilty verdict was read on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury convicted Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter in a first-of-its-kind trial to determine whether she had any responsibility in the deaths of four students in 2021. Prosecutors say Jennifer Crumbley was grossly negligent when she failed to tell Oxford High School that the family had guns, including a 9 mm handgun that her son, Ethan Crumbley, used at a shooting range on the weekend before the Nov. 30, 2021, attack.
Uncredited - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jennifer Crumbley is taken into custody after a guilty verdict was read on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury convicted Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter in a first-of-its-kind trial to determine whether she had any responsibility in the deaths of four students in 2021. Prosecutors say Jennifer Crumbley was grossly negligent when she failed to tell Oxford High School that the family had guns, including a 9 mm handgun that her son, Ethan Crumbley, used at a shooting range on the weekend before the Nov. 30, 2021, attack.
Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
Uncredited - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jennifer Crumbley is taken into custody after a guilty verdict was read on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury convicted Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter in a first-of-its-kind trial to determine whether she had any responsibility in the deaths of four students in 2021. Prosecutors say Jennifer Crumbley was grossly negligent when she failed to tell Oxford High School that the family had guns, including a 9 mm handgun that her son, Ethan Crumbley, used at a shooting range on the weekend before the Nov. 30, 2021, attack.
Uncredited - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jennifer Crumbley is taken into custody after a guilty verdict was read on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury convicted Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter in a first-of-its-kind trial to determine whether she had any responsibility in the deaths of four students in 2021. Prosecutors say Jennifer Crumbley was grossly negligent when she failed to tell Oxford High School that the family had guns, including a 9 mm handgun that her son, Ethan Crumbley, used at a shooting range on the weekend before the Nov. 30, 2021, attack.
Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jennifer Crumbley arrives in court, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury received instructions from a judge and begin deliberations in an unusual trial against a school shooter's mother. The deliberations which began Monday could send Crumbley to prison if she is convicted of contributing to the deaths of four students in 2021.
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jennifer Crumbley arrives in court, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury received instructions from a judge and begin deliberations in an unusual trial against a school shooter's mother. The deliberations which began Monday could send Crumbley to prison if she is convicted of contributing to the deaths of four students in 2021.
Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jennifer Crumbley is escorted away, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury received instructions from a judge and begin deliberations in an unusual trial against a school shooter's mother. The deliberations beginning Monday could send Crumbley to prison if she is convicted of contributing to the deaths of four students in 2021.
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jennifer Crumbley is escorted away, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury received instructions from a judge and begin deliberations in an unusual trial against a school shooter's mother. The deliberations beginning Monday could send Crumbley to prison if she is convicted of contributing to the deaths of four students in 2021.
Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Attorney Shannon Smith, left, stands next to defendant Jennifer Crumbley during her trial, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. A Michigan jury on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, has found Crumbley, a school shooter’s mother, guilty of involuntary manslaughter in a groundbreaking trial to determine whether she has any responsibility in the deaths of four students in 2021.
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Attorney Shannon Smith, left, stands next to defendant Jennifer Crumbley during her trial, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. A Michigan jury on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, has found Crumbley, a school shooter’s mother, guilty of involuntary manslaughter in a groundbreaking trial to determine whether she has any responsibility in the deaths of four students in 2021.
Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Judge Cheryl Matthews gives the jury instructions, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury received instructions from a judge and begin deliberations in an unusual trial against a school shooter's mother. The deliberations beginning Monday could send Jennifer Crumbley to prison if she is convicted of contributing to the deaths of four students in 2021.
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Judge Cheryl Matthews gives the jury instructions, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury received instructions from a judge and begin deliberations in an unusual trial against a school shooter's mother. The deliberations beginning Monday could send Jennifer Crumbley to prison if she is convicted of contributing to the deaths of four students in 2021.
Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald gives her rebuttal statement during Jennifer Crumbley's trial, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Pontiac, Mich. Crumbley, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say she and her husband were grossly negligent and could have prevented the four deaths if they had tended to their son’s mental health. They’re also accused of making a gun accessible at home.
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald gives her rebuttal statement during Jennifer Crumbley's trial, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Pontiac, Mich. Crumbley, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say she and her husband were grossly negligent and could have prevented the four deaths if they had tended to their son’s mental health. They’re also accused of making a gun accessible at home.
Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Judge Cheryl Matthews presides as defense attorney Shannon Smith gives her closing arguments for her client Jennifer Crumbley, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Pontiac, Mich. Crumbley, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say she and her husband were grossly negligent and could have prevented the four deaths if they had tended to their son’s mental health. They’re also accused of making a gun accessible at home.
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Judge Cheryl Matthews presides as defense attorney Shannon Smith gives her closing arguments for her client Jennifer Crumbley, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Pontiac, Mich. Crumbley, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say she and her husband were grossly negligent and could have prevented the four deaths if they had tended to their son’s mental health. They’re also accused of making a gun accessible at home.
Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald gives her rebuttal statement during Jennifer Crumbley's trial, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Pontiac, Mich. Crumbley, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say she and her husband were grossly negligent and could have prevented the four deaths if they had tended to their son’s mental health. They’re also accused of making a gun accessible at home.
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald gives her rebuttal statement during Jennifer Crumbley's trial, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Pontiac, Mich. Crumbley, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say she and her husband were grossly negligent and could have prevented the four deaths if they had tended to their son’s mental health. They’re also accused of making a gun accessible at home.
Jury finds Jennifer Crumbley, the Michigan school shooter’s mother, guilty of manslaughter
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Defense attorney Shannon Smith gives her closing arguments for her client Jennifer Crumbley, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Pontiac, Mich. Crumbley, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say she and her husband were grossly negligent and could have prevented the four deaths if they had tended to their son’s mental health. They’re also accused of making a gun accessible at home.
Carlos Osorio - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Defense attorney Shannon Smith gives her closing arguments for her client Jennifer Crumbley, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Pontiac, Mich. Crumbley, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say she and her husband were grossly negligent and could have prevented the four deaths if they had tended to their son’s mental health. They’re also accused of making a gun accessible at home.
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan jury convicted a school shooter’s mother of involuntary manslaughter Tuesday in a first-of-its-kind trial to determine whether she had any responsibility in the deaths of four students in 2021.
Prosecutors say Jennifer Crumbley had a duty under Michigan law to prevent her son, who was 15 at the time, from harming others. She was accused of failing to secure a gun and ammunition at home and failing to get help for Ethan Crumbley’s mental health.
The guilty verdicts — one for each student slain at Oxford High School — were returned after roughly 11 hours of jury deliberations.
Jennifer Crumbley, 45, looked down and shook her head slightly as each juror was polled after the verdicts were read.
Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews thanked the jurors and said: “We all know that this was one of the hardest things you’ve ever done.”
On her way out of the courtroom, prosecutor Karen McDonald hugged Craig Shilling, the father of victim Justin Shilling, and the family of Madisyn Baldwin.
“Thank you,” a man whispered to her.
A gag order by the judge prevented McDonald and defense attorney Shannon Smith from speaking to reporters.
On the morning of Nov. 30, 2021, school staff members were concerned about a violent drawing of a gun, bullet and wounded man, accompanied by desperate phrases, on Ethan Crumbley’s math assignment. His parents were called to the school for a meeting with school staff, but they didn’t take the boy home.
A few hours later, Ethan Crumbley pulled a handgun from his backpack and shot 10 students and a teacher. No one had checked the backpack.
The gun was the Sig Sauer 9 mm his father, James Crumbley, purchased with him just four days earlier. Jennifer Crumbley had taken her son to a shooting range that same weekend.
“You’re the last adult to have possession of that gun,” assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said while cross-examining Jennifer Crumbley last week. “You saw your son shoot the last practice round before the (school) shooting on Nov. 30. You saw how he stood. … He knew how to use the gun.”
The teen’s mom replied, “Yes, he did.”
Besides 17-year-old Justin Shilling and 17-year old Madisyn Baldwin, Hana St. Juliana, 14, and Tate Myre, 16, were also killed. Seven people were wounded.
Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents in the U.S. to be charged in a mass school shooting committed by their child. James Crumbley, 47, faces trial in March.
Jennifer Crumbley told jurors that it was her husband’s job to keep track of the gun. She also said she saw no signs of mental distress in her son.
“We would talk. We did a lot of things together,” she testified. “I trusted him, and I felt I had an open door. He could come to me about anything.”
In a journal found by police, Ethan Crumbley wrote that his parents wouldn’t listen to his pleas for help.
“I have zero help for my mental problems and it’s causing me to shoot up the … school,” he wrote.
The jury of six men and six women included people who own guns or grew up with them in their home. They said they could put their opinions about guns aside and serve fairly.
Jennifer Crumbley will get credit for roughly 2 1/2 years in the county jail when she returns to court for sentencing on April 9. The judge will set the minimum prison sentence, based on scoring guidelines and other factors.
It will be up to the Michigan parole board to determine how long she actually stays in prison. The maximum term for involuntary manslaughter is 15 years.
