James Crumbley: Father of Oxford school shooter breaks down as prosecutors detail son Ethan’s rampage

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN: The courtroom witnessed a heart-wrenching scene as James Crumbley, the father of Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley, broke down into tears during the commencement of his involuntary manslaughter trial.

Facing charges linked to his son's deadly rampage that claimed four lives at Oxford High School in 2021, the emotional trial unfolded with vivid details of the tragic event.

Prosecutor highlights James Crumbley's failure to prevent school shooting

Ethan, at the age of 15, unleashed a horrifying attack at the school in Oxford, Michigan, resulting in the deaths of Hana St Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, and Justin Shilling.

James is accused of failing to secure a gun and ammunition at home adequately and neglecting his son's mental health needs.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Marc Keast asserted that James had the opportunity to prevent the "preventable and foreseeable" shooting emphasizing the tragic loss of lives that could have been averted.

Keast stated, "You're going to learn that those kids would still be alive today if James Crumbley seized any one of the tragically small and easy opportunities given to him to prevent his son from committing murder."

During the opening statements, defense attorney Mariell Lehman contested the prosecution's claim, arguing, "Ladies and gentlemen, James Crumbley was not aware that his son had access to that firearm."

"Please do follow the law. And I am confident; we are confident that if you do that if you follow the law, that you will find James Crumbley not guilty."

James and Ethan Crumbley's Sig Sauer purchase

The trial also revealed details about the purchase of a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun by James and Ethan over Thanksgiving weekend in 2021. The boy referred to it as his "new beauty" on social media.

His mother characterized the firearm as a Christmas gift and accompanied him to a shooting range.

Four days post-purchase, the parents visited Oxford High to address a disturbing image their son had sketched on a math assignment. Alongside the drawing were phrases that stated, "The thoughts won't stop. Help me."

The paper featured a gun resembling the Sig Sauer.

Despite this, the Crumbleys didn't take Ethan home, and school staff, suspecting potential suicidal thoughts, didn't insist.

Unfortunately, no one examined the boy's backpack for a gun, leading to the tragic shooting that afternoon. The defense contends that the parents could not have foreseen the tragic events and did not commit a crime.

The involuntary manslaughter trial follows Jennifer Crumbley's conviction on February 6 for her role in the mass school shooting.

Prosecutors argued that she prioritized an extramarital affair over caring for her son.

Jennifer is scheduled to be sentenced on April 9 and could face up to 60 years in state prison.