Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews will allow testimony from two witnesses and shooting surveillance video in the upcoming trials for the parents of the Oxford shooter, despite their objections.
Molly Darnell was a teacher, and Kristy Gibson-Marshall was an assistant principal at Oxford High School at the time of the deadly shooting in November 2021.
The defendants, James and Jennifer Crumbley, argue the anticipated testimony from the teacher and assistant principal are not relevant to their involuntary manslaughter charges. The defense said such graphic testimony is unfairly prejudicial.
But Judge Matthews said she would allow Darnell and Gibson-Marshall to give testimony regarding such things as the identification of the shooter and their observations of the shooter.
But said she would prohibit testimony regarding personal suffering and or emotional trauma.
The Crumbleys also stated the surveillance video of the shootings is not relevant and unfairly prejudicial.
Matthews said that the video of the shooter inside the school is highly relevant.
“While the video in this matter is prejudicial, its probative value is not outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice,” she said.
The Crumbleys will have separate trials. One of the two trials will start next week.