PONTIAC, Mich. – A jury in Pontiac, Michigan found Jennifer Crumbley guilty of involuntary manslaughter on Thursday, in connection with the tragic shooting deaths of four students at Oxford High School in November 2021. The verdict was reached after nearly 11 hours of jury deliberation and Crumbley’s sentencing is scheduled for April 9.
The case of the Crumbley parents is a rare one, as both Jennifer and James Crumbley were charged in connection with the shooting carried out by their son, Ethan Crumbley. Their son, who was 15 years old at the time of the shooting, has already been sentenced to life in prison for his actions.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of the parents’ failure to respond to warning signs exhibited by their son, who they had purchased the gun from and failed to secure it. They testified that the parents did not take their son home from school despite being informed of concerning behavior and offered same-day mental health care services.
In a surprising turn of events, it was revealed during the trial that Jennifer Crumbley had been having an extramarital affair with a long-time friend at the time of the shooting. The affair came under scrutiny as prosecutors argued that it took up a significant amount of her time and attention, leading her to neglect her son’s well-being.
Crumbley’s defense attorney argued that she was doing the best she could as a mother, although prosecutors presented evidence of multiple affairs and arrangements made through a dating app just days before the shooting.
This high-profile case has raised questions about parental responsibility and gun control, as well as the impact of extramarital affairs on family dynamics and decision-making. The community waits with bated breath for the sentencing and the ongoing trial of James Crumbley, as they grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event.