Parents of Michigan school shooting victims get emotional at court as shooter Ethan Crumbley's parents get up to 15 years in prison
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
OXFORD, MICHIGAN: Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley's parents Jennifer and James Crumbley were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison respectively.
Parents of the mass shooting victims became emotional in court and spoke during the sentencing on Tuesday, April 10, according to CNN.
Judge stated convictions are 'not about poor parenting'
Judge Cheryl Matthews handed the sentence to the Crumbleys who are the first parents to be convicted of manslaughter in connection with a mass shooting at a school carried out by their teenage son.
“These convictions are not about poor parenting,” said Judge Matthews said.
“These convictions confirm repeated acts, or lack of acts, that could have halted an oncoming runaway train," the judge said, adding "About repeatedly ignoring things that would make a reasonable person feel the hair on the back of their neck stand up."
“Opportunity knocked over and over again — louder and louder — and was ignored. No one answered," Matthews continued.
What are the charges against James and Jennifer Crumbley?
The Crumbleys will receive credit for the 858 days they have already spent in prison since their arrest more than two years ago. They will also be eligible for parole in 10 years.
Earlier this year, each of them was found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter for the mass shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan.
Their son Ethan who had been a student at the school was just 15 years old when he shot his classmates and teachers on November 30, 2021.
The four victims of the shooting were identified as Tate Myre, 16; Hana St Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; and Justin Shilling, 17.
A victim's parent called the violence 'completely preventable'
On Tuesday morning, April 9, victim impact statements were delivered at the court. Justin Shilling's father Craig Shilling said he has been living every day with "pain, anger, heartache, regret, anxiety, stress, you name it."
"They’re all there wreaking havoc in my once normal life," he shared and told Ethan's parents, "The blood of our children is on your hands."
Shilling's mother Jill Soave called the violence "completely preventable."
"If only they had done something, your honor, anything, to shift the course events on Nov. 30 [2021], then our four angels would be here today,” she said.
Jennifer and James offered their condolences to the victim's families and for the tragedy that took place at the school.
Why are Jennifer and James Crumbley charged?
Jennifer and James were called into the Oxford High School just hours before the shooting.
They were called for a meeting with counselors regarding Ethan's violent writings and drawings found in his schoolwork.
The drawings included disturbing sketches of a bullet, a handgun, and a person appearing to be lying on a pool of their own blood. However, the Crumbleys declined to take their son home for the day despite these alarming signs.
The parents also failed to inform the school administration about the 9 mm semi-automatic handgun they purchased for Ethan as a Christmas gift nor how Jennifer took her son to the shooting range to practice a test run.
The Crumbleys are not directly accused of assisting in planning the shooting. However, prosecutors argued that they could have ensured the gun was secured and in a safe location and they could have helped prevent the attack.
In October 2022, Ethan pleaded guilty to two dozen charges in connection with the mass shooting, including murder and terrorism. The 17-year-old is currently serving a life sentence.
