James Crumbley: Father of Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley found guilty of involuntary manslaughter

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

PONTIAC, MICHIGAN: The aftermath of the Oxford High School tragedy in 2021 has culminated in another somber chapter as James Crumbley, father of the shooter Ethan Crumbley, has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

This verdict, delivered on Thursday, March 14, adds another layer of accountability to the devastating events that unfolded, leaving four innocent students dead.

Parents charged in connection with shooting orchestrated by their child

Ethan, at the age of 15, unleashed a horrifying attack at the school in Oxford, Michigan, resulting in the deaths of  Justin Shilling, 17; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Tate Myre, 16.

Crumbley, 47, joins his wife Jennifer Crumbley, 45, as the second parent to be convicted in connection with the shooting, marking a historic legal precedent in the United States.

Jennifer was previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter in February. The jury's decision signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings, with both parents facing the stark reality of their roles in the tragedy that shook the Oxford community to its core.

As the verdict was announced, emotions ran high in the courtroom, with the families of the victims grappling with a mixture of sorrow and relief.

“This verdict does not bring back their children, but it does mark a moment of accountability and will hopefully be another step to address and end gun violence,” said County Prosecutor Karen McDonald.  

Timeline of Ethan Crumbley's shooting

Prosecutors meticulously outlined the parents' failure to address signs of their son's mental distress, as well as their negligent handling of firearm access at home. The purchase of a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun, just days before the shooting, underscored the gravity of the situation, highlighting a critical lapse in responsible gun ownership.

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.

“James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did,” said McDonald addressing the jury.

“James Crumbley is on trial for what he did and for what he didn’t do.” The father “doesn’t get a pass because somebody else” actually pulled the trigger, said McDonald, as reported by Local 10.

Crumbleys ignored their son's mental health pleas

Defense attorney Mariell Lehman, representing the defense, underscored that Crumbley “obviously feels terrible” over the school tragedy.

She further emphasized to the jurors that the father had not authorized his son's access to firearms, stating, "He did not know he had to protect others from his son... He had no idea what his son was planning to do."

No expert testimony was presented regarding Ethan's mental health, and no records were introduced. However, excerpts from the teen shooter's handwritten journal were permitted for the jury to review, wherein he expressed frustration over the lack of support for his mental health issues.

“I have zero help for my mental problems and it’s causing me to shoot up the ... school,” Ethan penned.

“I want help but my parents don’t listen to me so I can’t get any help.” At the age of 17, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The father of one victim expressed the urgent need for action to address gun violence.

"Our children are dying on a daily basis in mass murders, and we do very little about it,” said Steve St Juliana.

“We complain about Second Amendment rights or we say, ‘Well, there’s not enough money for mental health issues.’ ... We do not want any other parents to go through what we have gone through.”

Crumbley and Jennifer face the possibility of a minimum sentence of up to 10 years in prison each when they return to court on April 9.