A jury has been selected in the trial of a man whose teenage son carried out a tragic shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan. The father, James Crumbley, faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter for his role in the incident where his son, Ethan Crumbley, killed four students with a gun purchased by the father just days before the shooting.
The jury selection process was completed in less than two days, despite concerns about the extensive publicity surrounding the case. Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews addressed the potential jurors, acknowledging the emotional impact of the evidence that will be presented during the trial, including a video of the 2021 shooting.
James Crumbley is accused of negligently storing a gun and ammunition at home and disregarding his son's mental health issues. The father and son had purchased a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun together, with the boy referring to it as his “new beauty” on social media.
The tragic events unfolded after the parents were alerted to a disturbing image drawn by Ethan at school, depicting violent content and concerning phrases. Despite this warning, the parents did not remove Ethan from the school premises, and tragically, the shooting occurred later that day.
Defense attorneys argue that the parents could not have predicted the shooting and did not commit a crime. However, the prosecution maintains that the parents failed to take appropriate action to prevent the tragedy.
Ethan Crumbley, now 17, has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the shooting. Jennifer Crumbley, the mother, has already been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and is awaiting sentencing.
The trial of James Crumbley is set to proceed with opening statements and witness testimonies scheduled for the coming days. The case has drawn significant attention as the Crumbleys are the first parents in the United States to face criminal charges in connection with a mass school shooting carried out by their child.
