OXFORD, Mich. – The involuntary manslaughter trial continued Friday for James Crumbley, the father of the Oxford High School shooter.
Prosecutors have called a total of six witnesses to the stand across the first two days of the trial.
Here are some key details about the case:
- James Crumbley is represented by defense attorney Mariell Lehman. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald and assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Marc Keast lead the prosecution. Judge Cheryl A. Matthews presides over the case.
- Crumbley is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter -- one for each of the students who were killed by his son during the Nov. 30, 2021, shooting at Oxford High School: 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 16-year-old Tate Myre, 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin, and 17-year-old Justin Shilling.
- His wife was found guilty of all four counts on Feb. 6, 2024, after a nine-day trial that included seven days of witness testimony and two days of jury deliberation.
- The shooter was sentenced in December to life in prison without the chance of parole.
Here are the full updates from Day 2 of the trial:
Judge leaves courtroom
- 2:34 p.m. Friday
Matthews told a “person who’s sick” in the courtroom to “think twice” about coming back. Someone could be heard sneezing throughout the proceedings on Friday.
She then left the courtroom, and James Crumbley was escorted out. Proceedings ended for the day.
Instructions for jury
- 2:32 p.m. Friday
Judge reminded the jury not to read about the case or consume any news. She said they can’t talk about the case.
‘We’re sort of out of witnesses’
- 2:31 p.m. Friday
“We are making incredible strides,” Matthews said. “We’re going quickly. We’re being efficient, but we’re sort of out of witnesses for today. So we’re in good shape.
“We’ll definitely finish by next week. You will definitely be finished by next week. That’s the good part. But we’re making good progress. In fact, some of the witnesses have been deleted from the witness list. But we are sort of out of witnesses for today.”
She asked the jury to return at 9 a.m. Monday.
No cross examination
- 2:29 p.m. Friday
Lehman did not have any questions for Gipson-Marshall
James Crumbley’s reaction
- 2:27 p.m. Friday
When the shooter came into view in the video, James Crumbley could be heard crying. He swore and had his head in his hand.
Video from hallway
- 2:23 p.m. Friday
Prosecutors then showed video of Gipson-Marshall inside the hallways during the shooting.
We are not allowed to show the video.
Seeing shooter’s arrest
- 2:21 p.m. Friday
Gipson-Marshall said she witnessed the shooter coming out of the bathroom and being taken into custody.
She said she didn’t know about Justin Shilling being killed in that bathroom or about any other students being injured at that point.
Defense interjects
- 2:18 p.m. Friday
Lehman interjected while Gibson-Marshall talked about Tate Myre. McDonald said she is trying to comply with a court order.
McDonald said Gibson-Marshall had to tell the jury what happened without saying how it made her feel.
Trying to save Tate Myre
- 2:17 p.m. Friday
The shooter kept walking, and she turned her back on him and went back to the injured student. She said she doesn’t know where the shooter went afterward.
At that point, she rolled the injured student over and realized it was Tate Myre. She could tell he had been shot in the back of the head.
She said she hoped Tate was still alive and he had a pulse, so she tried to resuscitate him. But he was very gray, she said.
Seeing shooter
- 2:14 p.m. Friday
Gibson-Marshall looked up the hallway and saw a student who looked like he was bringing his arm down. She assumed that was the shooter.
She let the office know that she had eyes on the shooter.
The shooter was coming closer to her and she realized the shooter’s identity. She said he always seemed like a sweet kid so it didn’t seem right. She asked him if he was OK and what was going on.
She noticed that he had a gun in his hand. She took a couple steps alongside him, and he looked away from her.
“I knew for sure at that point that he was the shooter, because he would have talked to me,” Gibson-Marshall said.
She said she didn’t take cover because there was a student who needed her help.
Reaching 200 hallway
- 2:12 p.m. Friday
She saw a student on the ground, so she approached that direction.
Shortly afterward, she saw a student coming in her direction. There were no other staff members or administrators.
Gibson-Marshall said she approached the student on the ground, and that student was face-down and turned opposite of her direction.
She said she didn’t know anything about injuries at that point.
Walking toward gunfire
- 2:11 p.m. Friday
Gibson-Marshall said she could smell what she later learned was gunpowder.
She said she heard gunshots soon after, but she doesn’t have a lot of experience with firearms. She said she knew what she was hearing.
She went toward the gunfire to see what was happening. She was around room 408 and 409, moving toward 416. When she got to 416, she turned left toward the gunfire.
Walking down hallway
- 2:10 p.m. Friday
Gibson-Marshall said she didn’t follow ALICE protocol.
“I went down the 400 hallway to make sure the hallway I was closest to, students were taking cover,” she said.
She made sure one student got quickly into a classroom. Doors were closed, but that teacher was in the process of locking the door.
What she did next
- 2:09 p.m. Friday
Gibson-Marshall said she checked the hallway to make sure it was getting cleared, and the hallway cleared “extremely fast.”
She walked toward the 400 hallway and got on the walkie to say she wasn’t sure what was happening, but students were running.
She said she didn’t hear anything else at that point.
PA system announces protocol
- 2:07 p.m. Friday
Gibson-Marshall said a student ran by saying, “Get the hell out of here,” which seemed “extremely” unusual.
Next, Gibson-Marshall asked some students what was going on, and they didn’t know. That’s when the PA system went off and said to take ALICE protocol (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate). The announcement was made by the principal at the time.
‘Very odd’ running from students
- 2:05 p.m. Friday
Gibson-Marshall said she noticed something unusual and paused before getting to the senior window because a lot of kids were “laughing and rushing.”
“It was bizarre to me,” she said.
She said the rushing seemed “very different” than the typical rushing between classes.
“Running out of the building is different,” Gibson-Marshall said.
Where she was before shooting
- 2:02 p.m. Friday
Gibson-Marshall said right before the shooting, she was in the cafeteria supervising lunches. She likes to use that time to connect with students.
She left the cafeteria and went toward the “senior window,” which is an area in the school where seniors hang out. That’s where she often stands during passing time.
Active shooter training
- 2:01 p.m. Friday
Gibson-Marshall said she’s trained to lock down if there’s an active shooter. They receive that training during drills.
Relationship with shooter
- 1:58 p.m. Friday
Gibson-Marshall said she might have met James Crumbley, but she can’t remember. She was the shooter’s elementary school shooter.
She had known the shooter since fourth grade, when he transferred to the elementary school where she taught before becoming a high school administrator.
Witness: Kristy Gibson-Marshall
- 1:56 p.m. Friday
The prosecution called Kristy Gibson-Marshall, the assistant principal at Oxford High School, to the stand. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald began the direct examination.
Gibson-Marshall is a former teacher at Oxford High School and Oxford Elementary School. She has worked for the district for 29 years.
‘I love you’ vs. ‘I did it’
- 1:54 p.m. Friday
Keast implied that James Crumbley was only saying “I love you” over and over because he was talking over his son saying “I did it,” and confessing to a crime.
Matthews said that’s for the jury to decide.
Keast clarified that James Crumbley was saying “I love you” at the same time his son was saying, “I did it,” and that his voice got louder and louder. Brian said yes.
Redirect: Joe Brian
- 1:53 p.m. Friday
Keast said James Crumbley never told police that he bought the murder weapon four days ago, or that it was for his son.
Keast said James Crumbley never said that a counselor had told him to take his son home that day. Brian agreed.
James Crumbley to his son
- 1:52 p.m. Friday
Lehman clarified that James Crumbley told his son that he loved him after seeing him in the room. Brian said that’s correct.
Lehman said James Crumbley was sobbing and “incredibly emotional” after seeing him. Brian said yes.
Lehman is trying to establish that James Crumbley was concerned for his son’s wellbeing.
Gun, ammunition storage
- 1:50 p.m. Friday
Lehman said there was a discussion about empty magazines. Police asked how many magazines were in the house, referring to the ones that go into the SIG Sauer.
James Crumbley said there were three, and that they were all stored empty. He said the gun was empty and stored separately from the ammunition. Brian agreed.
Morning of shooting
- 1:49 p.m. Friday
There’s no indication that James Crumbley thought there were concerns about his son on the morning of the shooting, Lehman said. Brian said not that he’s aware of.
Son’s safety
- 1:48 p.m. Friday
Lehman clarified that police told James Crumbley that his son was going to be “safe,” so James Crumbley must have been worried about his son. Brian said yes.
Grades
- 1:48 p.m. Friday
One of the Crumbley parents told police that they had found out about an “E” grade in geometry and there had been an argument with the shooter the previous night.
Lawyer discussion
- 1:47 p.m. Friday
When James Crumbley said he wanted to get a lawyer, he meant for his son, Lehman clarified. Brian said yes, that’s how he interpreted that request.
Hiding gun
- 1:47 p.m. Friday
Lehman clarified that James Crumbley told police he had a SIG Sauer handgun that had been hidden in an armoire in a case. He also said the bullets were hidden in a different spot under jeans. Brian agreed.
‘Perfect kid’
- 1:46 p.m. Friday
James Crumbley also told police about the math homework drawing, Brian agreed.
He said his son was a “perfect kid,” Lehman clarified
“That’s what they said,” Brian replied.
No issues with son
- 1:45 p.m. Friday
James Crumbley said he saw police cars, so he tried to get to the high school, and he couldn’t get ahold of his son to see if his son was OK, Lehman clarified.
About 5 minutes and 18 seconds into the interview, James Crumbley said he didn’t believe they were having any issues with their son.
James Crumbley during interview
- 1:44 p.m. Friday
Lehman said 58 seconds into the interview, James Crumbley asked for a bottle of water and said he was “freaking out.”
She said later James Crumbley became emotional when he learned “multiple people have been shot.”
She also clarified that James Crumbley was willing to talk to police, even after his wife said they should get a lawyer.
Brian agreed with all of these statements from Lehman.
Cross examination: Joe Brian
- 1:43 p.m. Friday
Lehman began her cross examination of Brian.
End of video
- 1:42 p.m. Friday
James Crumbley asked if they’re free to go, and the police said yes. They said someone would be in contact soon.
The Crumbleys left the room, and the video recording ended. The video was exhibit 301, and the transcript is proposed exhibit 378.
Seeing shooter
- 1:41 p.m. Friday
At the end of the video, the parents are brought into the room where the shooter is held, handcuffed to a bar on the wall.
They sat in chairs across the room while Brian asked the shooter a few questions.
“I don’t think we need to ask him any questions right now,” James Crumbley said.
Jennifer Crumbley asked him, “Why?”
James Crumbley said, “I love you,” several times while leaving the room. He was sobbing as they re-entered the interview room.
More on weapons at home
- 1:36 p.m. Friday
Police asked more about how the guns were kept in the house.
“(The magazines) were empty, the guns were empty, and the bullets were in a completely different place,” James Crumbley said.
Jennifer Crumbley said she and her son bought 100 rounds when they went to the shooting range three days prior, but they only used 50.
Injuries, deaths were unknown at this point
- 1:34 p.m. Friday
Brian’s partner told the Crumbleys that “it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
He said it wasn’t yet clear how many people are hurt or who if anyone was killed.
Shooter under arrest
- 1:31 p.m. Friday
When police told the parents that the shooter “has been arrested,” James Crumbley put his head in his hand and clearly became emotional.
Lawyer discussion
- 1:30 p.m. Friday
The Crumbleys told police that they would like a lawyer present “from here on out.”
Jennifer Crumbley said she was texting “Andy” about it -- meaning her boss, Andrew Smith.
Gun, ammunition at home
- 1:29 p.m. Friday
James Crumbley said the gun was hidden in a case, and the bullets “were hidden in a completely different spot, underneath some jeans.”
James Crumbley said after he found out there was an active shooter, he “raced home” and found the gun was missing. He said that’s when he called police and let them know.
‘The perfect kid’
- 1:29 p.m. Friday
James Crumbley called his son “the perfect kid,” saying he doesn’t get in trouble at school.
They later told police that the shooter had never been in any trouble with the law.
Shooter’s state of mind
- 1:28 p.m. Friday
Police asked the Crumbleys if anything had happened to the shooter that might have caused him to fire shots at the school.
James Crumbley told police that his son’s friend had moved out of state. He told them that their dog died recently, and that the shooter lost his grandmother (James Crumbley’s mother).
James Crumbley at Meijer
- 1:25 p.m. Friday
James Crumbley told police that he went to the Meijer parking lot and saw students, so he tried to call his son and make sure he was OK. But his son didn’t answer.
Math worksheet
- 1:25 p.m. Friday
James Crumbley started telling police about the math worksheet drawing when Jennifer Crumbley interrupted him and said they should get a lawyer.
Video of police interview
- 1:24 p.m. Friday
🎥 Here is the full interview (this was clipped during the Jennifer Crumbley trial):
‘Freaking out’
- 1:23 p.m. Friday
James Crumbley asked for a bottle of water, saying his mouth was super dry because he’s “freaking out.”
Recording of interview at substation
- 1:20 p.m. Friday
Brian said he and his partner brought the parents into an interview room to let them know what was going on.
The conversation was captured in a recording, and Keast showed that video in court.
Keast said the time on the video is wrong by an hour. It says 2:58 p.m., but it began at 1:58 p.m.
Calling James Crumbley
- 1:19 p.m. Friday
When Brian learned the identity of the shooter’s parents during that interview, he called James Crumbley.
James Crumbley got to the substation at 1:58 p.m. Nov. 30, 2021. His wife also arrived with him.
Interviewing shooter
- 1:18 p.m. Friday
Brian was sent to the Oxford substation to interview the school shooter. That’s where the shooter was taken after he was arrested at the high school.
Witness: Sgt. Joe Brian
- 1:16 p.m. Friday
Prosecutors called Joe Brian, a detective sergeant with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. He’s worked with the department for 29 years and is assigned to the Special Investigations Unit.
That unit is run by Lt. Tim Willis.
Brian testified on Day 3 of the Jennifer Crumbley trial.
Jury returns
- 1:15 p.m. Friday
The jury has returned, and court is back in session.
James Crumbley returns
- 1:13 p.m. Friday
James Crumbley has returned to the courtroom and taken his seat beside Lehman at the defense table.
Pace of proceedings so far
- 1:07 p.m. Friday
The pace of the proceedings in this trial is much quicker than during the Jennifer Crumbley trial. Keast has expressed multiple times that the case is ahead of schedule.
If that’s the case, then it’s ahead of schedule in spite of a late start Friday, a 35-minute break before lunch on Thursday, and an early dismissal of the jury on Thursday (around 3:40 p.m.).
No cross examination for Koteles
- 12:56 p.m. Friday
Koteles wasn’t cross examined after testifying in either of the trials for the shooter’s parents.
Lehman had questions for Wagrowski and Back, but not for Darnell or Koteles. So far, that follows the same script as Shannon Smith from the Jennifer Crumbley trial.
Bullets found in school
- 12:41 p.m. Friday
Prosecutors asked Koteles about the number of bullets that were found inside Oxford High School. He testified that 32 shots were fired and 18 unfired rounds were recovered.
We might hear evidence later in the trial that references the ammunition purchased by Jennifer Crumbley at the shooting range on Nov. 27, 2021. She bought 100 rounds of ammunition, but she and the shooter only fired 50 rounds.
Lehman’s questions about gun lock
- 12:26 p.m. Friday
When Lehman cross examined Back about the cable lock that was provided to James Crumbley, she took a much different approach than the one used by Jennifer Crumbley’s defense team.
Lehman clarified that there’s no law requiring a gun owner to use a trigger lock. She also pointed out that her client didn’t fill out any documents indicating that he would use the lock. Back agreed with those statements.
As a rebuttal during redirect, Keast asked Back who bears the responsibility of keeping a gun safe. She said that responsibility is with the owner.
Prosecution’s next witness unclear
- 12:13 p.m. Friday
Before the lunch break began, Matthews asked the prosecution who they’re going to call next.
“We’re not sure because we are way ahead of schedule, judge,” Keast said. “We need to make some phone calls.”
“We are just all that good,” Matthews said.
James Crumbley escorted out
- 11:58 a.m. Friday
James Crumbley was escorted out of the courtroom by deputies.
Court breaks for lunch
- 11:57 a.m. Friday
The jury was excused, and the court is taking its lunch break.
Matthews asked told them to be back at 1 p.m.
Trigger lock clarification
- 11:57 a.m. Friday
Keast clarified that the trigger lock statement is to make sure the firearm statement is to “ensure that the firearm dealer provides the tool to make it safe to the buyer of the gun, is that correct?”
“Yes,” Back said.
“Whose responsibility it is to actually make the gun safe?” Keast asked.
“The buyer,” Back said.
Redirect: Cammy Back
- 11:56 a.m. Friday
Keast asked if Back would have sold the gun to James Crumbley if his son had pointed at it and said, “That’s the one I want.” Back said no.
SIG Sauer sale
- 11:55 a.m. Friday
Lehman brought up the receipt for the SIG Sauer SP 2022 purchase. She clarified that no ammunition was listed. Back agreed.
Lehman said James Crumbley didn’t buy any ammunition for the SIG Sauer on Nov. 26, and Back agreed.
Sale logistics
- 11:54 a.m. Friday
Lehman clarified that James Crumbley received the Kel-Tec the day after his purchase. She said Back doesn’t know the exact reason, and Back agreed.
The sale was not delayed by the federal government, other than it might have just taken a day, Lehman said. Back agreed.
Trigger lock
- 11:52 a.m. Friday
In exhibit 40, a trigger lock statement from Nov. 26, 2021, indicates that the sale was done in compliance with the law and that a locking mechanism is provided.
Lehman said there’s no direction that the buyer has to use a cable lock or that they’re indicating they plan to use the cable lock. Back agreed.
Information from pamphlet
- 11:51 a.m. Friday
Lehman said the pamphlet says a minor can temporarily possess a handgun under certain conditions. Back agreed. That includes target practice, she agreed.
To her knowledge, Back never saw James Crumbley allow his son to possess the gun without his permission or supervision, she agreed.
Lehman said it’s not illegal for James Crumbley to let his son handle the gun at a shooting range or at home. Keast objected to the question, and Matthews sustained.
Interaction between James Crumbley, son in gun store
- 11:49 a.m. Friday
Lehman clarified that Back had no reason to suspect that James Crumbley was buying the gun for another person. She said that’s correct.
“In fact, you saw no exchange between (James Crumbley and his son) whatsever?” Lehman said.
Back said that’s correct.
Gun sale
- 11:47 a.m. Friday
Lehman handed Back a transcription of her testimony from earlier in the case.
“So this is saying what I just said,” Back said.
Lehman clarified that James Crumbley was very clear which gun he wanted when he went to the store. Back said yes.
Back previously testified that James Crumbley testified in February 2022 that James Crumbley had had his eye on the gun “for a few days.” On Friday, she said he told her he had had his eyes on it for “quite some time.”
Back interaction with James Crumbley
- 11:46 a.m. Friday
Lehman clarified that Back came out of the office, spoke to another customer, and then went over to help James Crumbley, who was standing at the counter. Back agreed.
Lehman said James Crumbley was a customer she recognized from previous visits. She said yes.
Cross examination: Cammy Back
- 11:45 a.m. Friday
Lehman began her cross examination of Back.
Trigger lock
- 11:43 a.m. Friday
Back said James Crumbley signed a statement that a trigger lock had been provided to him with the purchase. That cable lock was provided to the store by SIG Sauer to be sold with guns.
Back said a cable lock was given to James Crumbley when he bought the SIG Sauer on Nov. 26, 2021.
Gun case
- 11:42 a.m. Friday
Back said the SIG Sauer was sold with a plastic gun case, but that case does not have a locking mechanism. Keast showed the gun case in court, and Back confirmed it’s the one that was sold to James Crumbley with the gun.
Gun purchase form
- 11:41 a.m. Friday
Keast asked Back to walk the court through a questionnaire that must be filled out by someone who is buying a gun.
James Crumbley indicated on the form that he was the actual buyer of the SIG Sauer. The form clarified that checking “yes” means he is not buying the gun on behalf of another person.
Day of SIG Sauer purchase
- 11:36 a.m. Friday
Back said James Crumbley had a “younger guy” with him at the time of the purchase. She later learned that was his son.
James Crumbley was standing at the counter when Back came out of the office, and his son was behind him, she said.
James Crumbley asked to see the SIG Sauer, and since he’s a familiar face, she told him, “You know the drill,” and took his license and made copies while he filled out an application. She ran him for a background check.
Once she finished that check, she told James Crumbley that he was in research. They walked away from the counter and looked at holsters while they were waiting for that process to take place, Back said.
James Crumbley paid for the gun with cash, she said.
SIG Sauer purchase
- 11:34 a.m. Friday
Back said she remembers selling the SIG Sauer SP 9 mm handgun to James Crumbley on Nov. 26, 2021.
A sales receipt shows the gun cost $489.95. He paid a total of $519.35 after taxes.
James Crumbley paid for the gun and left with it on the same day, in this instance.
Previous James Crumbley gun purchases
- 11:28 a.m. Friday
Back said she has sold a gun to James Crumbley.
Exhibits 29-36 show records from gun purchases.
On June 15, 2021, James Crumbley bought a Cobra ENT Classic for $169.95. It’s a 22-caliber, two-shot pistol.
A pistol sales record was filled out, and it says the purchase/transfer date is June 16, 2021. It shows the barrel length was 2.25.
Back said that means there was a delay because James Crumbley’s background check was under review, which can happen. He likely picked the gun up on June 16, 2021, she said.
On June 16, 2021, a receipt shows James Crumbley bought a Kel-Tec P17 and two boxes of ammunition. Each box of ammunition cost $14.95. He spent at total of $349.64.
Keast asked if James Crumbley picked up the Cobra ENT Classic on June 16 and also bought the Kel-Tec on that date.
A pistol sales record showed James Crumbley got possession of the Kel-Tec on June 17.
Cable lock
- 11:25 a.m. Friday
Back said a cable lock is provided when someone buys a gun at the store.
Witness: Cammy Back
- 11:24 a.m. Friday
The prosecution called Cammy Back to testify.
Back is currently the office manager of the firearm store in Oxford where the SIG Sauer handgun was bought by James Crumbley on Nov. 26, 2021.
No cross examination
- 11:24 a.m. Friday
Lehman did not cross examine Koteles
Court back in session
- 11:22 a.m. Friday
Matthews entered the courtroom, and court is back in session.
The jury was brought in.
James Crumbley returns
- 11:20 a.m. Friday
James Crumbley returned to the courtroom and sat next to Lehman.
Keast says Cammy Back is next witness
- 11:08 a.m. Friday
Matthews asked which witness will be called next, and Keast said he intends to call Cammy Back.
Back worked at the gun store where the Crumbleys bought the gun used in the shooting. She testified during the first day of the Jennifer Crumbley trial.
Keast said the proceedings are moving “faster than I expected,” so he’s not sure if Back has arrived yet.
Court takes break
- 10:59 a.m. Friday
Matthews said she is giving the jury a 10-minute break before cross examination.
Keast questioning ends
- 10:59 a.m. Friday
Keast completed his questioning of Koteles.
Total shots fired
- 10:58 a.m. Friday
Koteles said the SIG Sauer was fired 32 times inside the high school. He said 18 unfired guns were found.
That adds up to 50 bullets. We learned during the Jennifer Crumbley trial that when she went to the shooting range with her son on Nov. 27, 2021, she bought 100 rounds, but they only fired 50.
That means two boxes of ammunition -- 50 total rounds were brought home.
Men’s bathroom
- 10:56 a.m. Friday
The shooter then backtracked down the hallway after reaching the area outside 213. Koteles processed the scene inside the area of rooms 233 and 231.
A picture outside the bathroom across from room 231 showed a black backpack and a live round in the hallway. A large pool of blood can be seen in the bathroom.
That’s the bathroom where Justin Shilling was killed.
A fired cartridge case was found in the bathroom. Koteles said that’s one of the 18 he referenced earlier.
Shots fired into classrooms
- 10:53 a.m. Friday
Koteles said the shooter fired into several classrooms, according to the evidence.
In one instance, the shooter fired directly into room 247 and through the glass of room 244.
Three shots were fired into room 224, Koteles said. That was Molly Darnell’s office. She testified first in Day 1 of the trial.
Koteles said there was a ricochet on a file cabinet and the back of a chair. A bullet was found embedded in a book behind a teacher’s desk.
In room 223, evidence showed that the bullet hit something additional before it hit the door. Koteles said it’s called a “tumbling bullet.” So it hit the door “kind of going sideways.”
A shot was also fired into classroom 220. Multiple shots were shot through the window into room 215.
Continuing along shooter’s path
- 10:51 a.m. Friday
Exhibit 18 is further down the same portion of the 200 hallway. It shows more fired bullets and cartridge cases. Police also found a magazine.
Exhibit 19 was objected to by the defense, but Matthews allowed it.
Koteles said exhibit 19 shows further away from the bathroom down the hallway. From rooms 249 to 213, there were 18 more fired cartridge casings, Koteles said.
Exhibit 20 showed placard 35, which was the gun’s magazine.
Photo outside bathroom
- 10:48 a.m. Friday
Exhibit 17 was not to be shown by the media. Koteles said it showed the area outside the bathroom from the west to the east, showing the hallway just south of rooms 256 and 258.
Placards show evidence and shooting victims Hana St. Juliana and Madisyn Baldwin.
There were 14 fired cartridge cases found in this portion of the hallway, Koteles said, along with several bullets and bullet fragments.
Photo of shooter’s belongings
- 10:47 a.m. Friday
Keast said he’s going to show images that show the shooter’s path within the school. There are some images that the media has been instructed not to show.
The first photo showed the shooter’s items that were left on the bathroom floor.
Shooter’s path
- 10:45 a.m. Friday
Keast clarified that the shooting went from approximately room 258 to 214 in the hallway of Oxford High School. Koteles agreed.
He said two of the victims were found in the area of room 256 and 258.
Then the shooter moved to the right and went down the hallway, with more evidence outside from room 249 all the way to outside room 213.
Map of evidence
- 10:42 a.m. Friday
Koteles said he used a map of the high school to document where evidence was found at the school.
Koteles said these notations were made by himself and another investigator.
Processing scene
- 10:41 a.m. Friday
After he collected the weapon, Koteles waited for the scene to be cleared. Investigators were still obtaining information.
It was several hours before he could actually enter the high school and process the scene.
When he got inside, Koteles checked the 200 hallway, where the shooting had started.
Arriving at high school
- 10:40 a.m. Friday
Koteles said his first task was to secure the gun that was used in the shooting.
The gun was in a garbage can, where a deputy had placed it after taking it from the shooter. Koteles collected it.
Processing crime scenes
- 10:38 a.m. Friday
He was the crime scene supervisor on call at the time of the Oxford High School shooting. He was called to process the scene.
Koteles arrived at the school at 2:40 p.m. He received the call at 1:15 p.m., and he assembled his team and got them to the high school about an hour and 25 minutes later.
Processing crime scenes
- 10:37 a.m. Friday
Koteles said he has processed “thousands” of crime scenes in his career.
He said he typically goes to the scene and tries to identify anything that can be important to a case. He also documents the scene.
Witness: Robert Koteles
- 10:34 a.m. Friday
The prosecution called Robert Koteles, of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s forensic lab. He is a crime scene supervisor.
Koteles testified on Day 4 of the Jennifer Crumbley trial.
Wagrowski testimony ends
- 10:32 a.m. Friday
Wagrowski’s testimony ended.
Re-cross: Edward Wagrowski
- 10:32 a.m. Friday
Lehman said Wagrowski doesn’t know what kind of doctor that references. Keast said “asked and answered.” Wagrowski was excused.
Re-direct: Edward Wagrowski
- 10:31 a.m. Friday
Keast said he needed to redirect to correct something. He clarified that the shooter asked his father to take him to the doctor.
Wagrowski on doctor
- 10:31 a.m. Friday
Lehman said Wagrowski doesn’t know what type of doctor the shooter was asking to see. Wagrowski said the shooter referenced hearing voices. Lehman said but he doesn’t know.
Re-cross: Edward Wagrowski
- 10:30 a.m. Friday
Lehman asked for a brief re-cross. Matthews agreed.
James Crumbley didn’t stop home
- 10:28 a.m. Friday
Keast said James Crumbley received the picture of the math worksheet, which included a drawing of a handgun that looked similar to the SIG Sauer, according to the prosecution during Jennifer Crumbley’s trial.
Keast said James Crumbley drove past his house four times after seeing the math worksheet drawing, and he never stopped home. Wagrowski agreed.
The prosecution is implying that James Crumbley should have seen the picture of the gun that his son drew and went home to make sure the gun was secured.
Math worksheet
- 10:26 a.m. Friday
Keast showed the math worksheet and referenced the messages in which Jennifer Crumbley sent the pictures to James Crumbley.
Keast said James Crumbley was at the horse barn and hadn’t signed onto DoorDash for the day. Wagrowski agreed.
Horse barn texts
- 10:25 a.m. Friday
Keast used the defense’s math about the 86 text messages referencing the horse barn. He said that means 25% of the year the parents were discussing the horse barn, and they never mentioned bringing their son. Wagrowski agreed.
“If that math is correct, that means 25% -- so a quarter of the year -- they were discussing meeting at the barn?” Keast asked.
“Correct,” Wagrowski said.
“Any indication in any of those conversations that they were taking their son with them?” Keast asked.
“No, there was not,” Wagrowski said.
Video of the gun
- 10:24 a.m. Friday
Keast replayed the video of the shooter from 12:30 a.m. Aug. 20, 2021. It demonstrated the noise the gun made when the gun was loaded.
Wagrowski said that’s the sound he referenced.
Texts in exhibit 67
- 10:23 a.m. Friday
Keast showed more context from exhibit 67, which was referenced during Lehman’s cross examination. Wagrowski had mentioned that he thought there was more context.
Keast showed the texts in which the shooter told his friend that he was having issue and needed help, but his parents wouldn’t get him any help.
Wagrowski listened as Keast read through all the text messages. He said that is the context he was referring to during cross examination.
Texts between friend, shooter
- 10:22 a.m. Friday
Keast asked about the texts between the shooter and his friend.
From Oct. 30, 2021, to the shooter’s arrest, there were no texts responding from the friend to the shooter, Wagrowski agreed.
Redirect: Edward Wagrowski
- 10:21 a.m. Friday
Keast began his redirect questioning.
Cross examination ends
- 10:20 a.m. Friday
Lehman ended her cross examination of Wagrowski.
Threats after shooter identified
- 10:19 a.m. Friday
Lehman said at some point, the shooter’s name was made public. She said the Crumbley parents began to receive threats to their safety afterward. Wagrowski said he was aware that there were some threats.
Keast objected to the subjectivity of what is a “threat.” Lehman agreed to move on.
Mental health care
- 10:18 a.m. Friday
Lehman asked if there was any requirement for James Crumbley to make phone calls to mental health services directly after the meeting at the school. Wagrowski said he doesn’t know anything about the meeting.
911 call
- 10:17 a.m. Friday
Lehman clarified that James Crumbley said during the 911 call that there was a shooting at the school, he could hear sirens, his gun was missing, and he was freaking out. Wagrowski agreed.
She said the Crumbleys went to the substation to meet with police.
Call log directly after shooting
- 10:14 a.m. Friday
Lehman said James Crumbley went to the Meijer on Ray Road at 1:11 p.m. on the day of the shooting. Wagrowski agreed.
James Crumbley called his son at 1:13 p.m. and 1:17 p.m., while still in the parking lot of the Meijer, Wagrowski agreed. He left the Meijer parking lot around 1:17 p.m.
There was a phone call at 1:16 p.m. between the Crumbley parents that lasted less than one minute.
He tried to call his son twice more at 1:18 p.m., seconds apart. None of his four calls were answered by the shooter, because the shooter had been taken into custody at 1 p.m.
At 1:19 p.m., James Crumbley received a call from his wife, and he was home at that time.
During the time he was at home, James Crumbley called 911 because he discovered that the SIG Sauer and ammunition were both missing, Lehman said. Wagrowski agreed that’s what James Crumbley said in the 911 call.
Reason to stop home?
- 10:11 a.m. Friday
James Crumbley logged into his DoorDash app at 11 a.m. that day after the meeting, while in the Meijer parking lot.
Lehman clarified that James Crumbley left the school and “started working right away” -- within three minutes. He agreed.
Lehman asked if Wagrowski knows of any reason James Crumbley should have stopped at his home while doing deliveries. Keast objected, and Lehman agreed to move on.
Meeting on morning of shooting
- 10:09 a.m. Friday
Lehman brought up the meeting at Oxford High School the morning of the shooting. James Crumbley didn’t go to his house before the shooting. He went from the horse barn to the school.
They met with a school counselor and their son, Wagrowski agreed.
Math worksheet
- 10:08 a.m. Friday
Exhibit 122 shows James Crumbley dropping the shooter off at school on Nov. 30, 2021, the day of the school shooting.
James Crumbley then went to the horse barn meet with a veterinarian. Wagrowski said yes.
Exhibit 131 is a Facebook message through between the Crumbley parents on Nov. 30, 2021 -- the day of the shooting. Jennifer Crumbley sent James Crumbley the two pictures of the math worksheet.
Lehman said James Crumbley expressed some concern about the drawings. Wagrowski said he did in one message.
Judge asks 2 sides to approach
- 10:06 a.m. Friday
Matthews asked the two sides to approach, and they talked very briefly with no audio on the record.
James Crumbley and voicemail
- 10:06 a.m. Friday
At 3:19 p.m. Nov. 29, 2021, that’s when Jennifer Crumbley first mentioned that something had happened with the shooter at school this day to James Crumbley, Lehman said. Wagrowski agreed.
This was in reference to the voicemail the counselor left Jennifer Crumbley earlier in the day about the shooter researching bullets on his phone during class.
Voicemail from counselor
- 10:05 a.m. Friday
Exhibit 115 is a Facebook thread between the Crumbley parents on Nov. 29, 2021. They were talking about issues with their horse.
Lehman said that’s when a counselor called Jennifer Crumbley and left a voicemail. Jennifer Crumbley listened to the voicemail and called back.
Lehman said there’s no discussion about the voicemail in exhibit 115. Wagrowski agreed that Jennifer Crumbley didn’t discuss it with James Crumbley at that time.
Horse barn texts
- 10:04 a.m. Friday
Lehman brought up the horse barn and messages between the Crumbley parents about their horses.
Wagrowski said the parents talked about going to the horse barn 86 times between January and November of 2021.
Lehman said there are 333 days in that time span. She said 86 out of 333 is 25.8%.
“That means that a quarter of the time, they’re discussing the horse barn,” Lehman said.
Wagrowski said they really didn’t discuss much more, other than going to work.
Working for DoorDash
- 10:01 a.m. Friday
Lehman clarified that there’s nothing wrong with working for DoorDash or leaving your teenage son at home while you’re delivering for DoorDash. Wagrowski agreed.
Lehman’s questioning
- 9:59 a.m. Friday
Lehman’s questioning about the videos sent by the shooter were meant to establish that regardless of the digital evidence, Wagrowski can’t say for absolute certain whether James Crumbley knew or didn’t know how his son was handling the SIG Sauer.
Wagrowski pointed to GPS data and the sound of handling the weapon as reasons to believe James Crumbley would have likely known, but agreed he doesn’t have context beyond the digital evidence.
SIG Sauer handgun
- 9:56 a.m. Friday
On Nov. 26, 2021, James Crumbley went to the gun store and bought the SIG Sauer. Lehman said there’s no dispute that James Crumbley bought that handgun.
She showed exhibit 95, which is the Instagram post from the shooter about the SIG Sauer. He posted three pictures, claimed it was his gun, and said his followers could ask him any questions about the gun.
Lehman clarified that Wagrowski doesn’t know anything that’s going on outside the context of those Instagram photos.
Screenshot of gun
- 9:54 a.m. Friday
Lehman brought up the screenshot that had been taken on the shooter’s phone of a handgun for sale. That same screenshot was later found on James Crumbley’s phone, but there was no sign of it in messages.
Lehman said both James Crumbley and his son deleted the message from their phones. She said people delete messages from their phones. Wagrowski agreed, and said he does so too.
Lehman said that doesn’t necessarily mean they were trying to hide anything. He agreed.
Lehman said you can also clear your cache and get rid of the evidence entirely, but James Crumbley didn’t do that. Wagrowski agreed.
James Crumbley’s conversation with son’s friend’s father
- 9:51 a.m. Friday
Lehman brought up the text exchange between James Crumbley and his son’s friend’s father. She said James Crumbley was checking in with the father because he was concerned that the shooter hadn’t heard from his friend. Wagrowski agreed.
The friend’s father asked James Crumbley not to tell the shooter that the friend had been taken out of state for treatment.
Lehman said there was no mutual concern about the shooter mentioned in that conversation between the fathers. Wagrowski agreed.
On Nov. 30, 2021, the friend’s father told James Crumbley that he was “praying that (the shooter) made it home OK.”
Lehman said even the friend’s father did not suspect that James Crumbley’s son could be the shooter. Keast objected for speculation, and Matthews sustained the objection.
More discussion of gun videos
- 9:49 a.m. Friday
Lehman went through each of the videos sent by the shooter to his friend, pointing out that Wagrowski can’t say for sure whether James Crumbley was in the room or whether he heard the sound of the gun being loaded.
Wagrowski said the GPS puts James Crumbley at the house, and the gun would have made a loud sound, but he can’t say for sure whether he knew his son was handling the gun.
‘My dad left it out’
- 9:47 a.m. Friday
At 12:30 a.m. Aug. 20, 2021, the shooter told his friend that his father had left a gun out. Lehman asked if Wagrowski could tell for sure if the gun was left out.
Wagrowski said he doesn’t know why the shooter would lie to a friend he spoke to so often. Lehman said but you can’t know for sure.
Videos sent by shooter
- 9:46 a.m. Friday
Lehman clarified that in the videos the shooter sent to his friend showing the SIG Sauer, Wagrowski doesn’t know whether the shooter’s parents were in the room or with their son.
Lehman said the video shows the shooter with a gun and loading a magazine. She said he doesn’t know if he was sitting with his parents or if they were in another room. Wagrowski agreed.
Context of text messages
- 9:45 a.m. Friday
Lehman asked Wagrowski if he had any context beyond what was in the text messages he reviewed in court, such as the one in which the shooter said his father told him to “suck it up” and take some pills.
Wagrowski said he believes there was some other context earlier in the thread.
Shooter’s texts with friends
- 9:43 a.m. Friday
Lehman referenced Wagrowski’s testimony that the shooter and his friend exchanged 20,000 text messages over 10 months in 2021. She said he doesn’t necessarily know how that compares to how much other teenagers text.
Wagrowski disagreed, saying that qualifies as a lot of messages.
‘Burner’ phones
- 9:42 a.m. Friday
Lehman asked if Wagrowski was aware that the Crumbleys were told to buy burner phones while police had possession of their cellphones. He said he was not directly aware of that before court proceedings.
Lehman is referring to something we learned during the Jennifer Crumbley trial. A police officer told Jennifer Crumbley to go buy a burner phone after the shooting because police confiscated the parents’ phones for investigation.
Wagrowski’s investigation
- 9:40 a.m. Friday
Lehman clarified that Wagrowski’s job is to find information that would help convict someone in court. He said not necessarily to prove someone’s guilt.
Cross examination: Edward Wagrowski
- 9:39 a.m. Friday
Mariell Lehman began her cross examination of Wagrowski.
Jury enters
- 9:37 a.m. Friday
Court was called into session, and the jury entered the courtroomm.
Judge arrives
- 9:36 a.m. Friday
Matthews has arrived in the courtroom. She asked the two sides to approach.
Judge, prosecutor still not in courtroom
- 9:33 a.m. Friday
Judge Matthews and Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald have not yet arrived in the courtroom.
James Crumbley arrives
- 9:24 a.m. Friday
James Crumbley was escorted into the courtroom by two deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
He sat down next to Lehman and put on his tie, which is not allowed to leave the courtroom with him.
Scene inside courtroom
- 9:23 a.m. Friday
Shawn Ley is in the courtroom and said there hasn’t been any explanation for the delay in proceedings. Matthews told the jury at the end of Day 1 that she would like to start at 9 a.m. Friday.
Defense attorney Mariell Lehman is in the courtroom. Oakland County Lt. Tim Willis is at the prosecution table.
The jury and Matthews have not yet arrived.
Will James Crumbley testify?
- 9:18 a.m. Friday
As of Friday morning, March 8, it’s not confirmed whether or not James Crumbley will testify in his own defense.
During her opening statement, Mariell Lehman made an interesting comment that might have given us a hint.
“You will not hear that James Crumbley even suspected that his son was a danger,” Lehman said. “That math homework that the prosecution is putting up on the screen -- you’re going to hear about that. You’re going to hear about what other people thought about that -- people at the school, including James Crumbley.
“There’s going to be probably quite a bit of discussion about that piece of math homework, ladies and gentlemen, and you’re going to hear all about it.”
When she told the jurors that they’re going to hear what other people at the school thought about the worksheet, “including James Crumbley,” did she mean they would hear from James Crumbley himself, or was she just clarifying that he was one of the people who was at the school?
How many witnesses will testify?
- 9:12 a.m. Friday
Keast told the jury during his opening statement Thursday that they should expect to hear from “15-20 witnesses.” The prosecution called 21 witnesses during Jennifer Crumbley’s trial, and Jennifer Crumbley was the only person to testify for the defense.
Some of the witnesses from the first trial who might not be involved this time around: Andrew Smith (Jennifer Crumbley’s boss), Amanda Holland (her coworker), and Brian Meloche (the man with whom she was having an extramarital affair.
It’s still unclear whether James Crumbley will testify.
Opening statement length
- 9:04 a.m. Friday
Keast’s opening statement before the James Crumbley trial was much longer than the one he delivered before the Jennifer Crumbley trial.
His opening statement in the first trial, delivered on Jan. 25, 2024, was just under 13 minutes long. This statement was nearly 23 minutes in length.
Defense attorney Mariell Lehman only spoke for about six minutes.
📄 Revoked communication order
- 8:52 a.m. Friday
Shawn Ley obtained the order revoking some of James Crumbley’s communication privileges.
“This matter having come on for argument in open court upon the motion of the People, the court having heard the arguments of counsel, and the court being advised in the premises;
“It is therefore ordered:
“The defendant’s phone and table communications at the Oakland County Jail are revoked, except for attorney and legitimate clergy communication, (in judge’s handwriting) or his ability to research or use the tablet for other non-communication purposes.”
Here is the full order that was filed:
Resolution reached
- 8:40 a.m. Friday
Before a formal motion had to be filed, Lehman and Williams spoke in the hallway and came to a resolution.
“The agreement is going to be that Mr. Crumbley’s communications will be revoked, but not his ability to do research or otherwise participate in his own defense,” Williams said. “So not just communicating with counsel, but his ability to read or get other information, simply communication.”
That is a stipulated order between the defense and prosecution and is designed to expire upon a verdict.
James Crumbley objects to prosecution’s order
- 8:29 a.m. Friday
On Thursday, James Crumbley was animated when defense attorney Mariell Lehman relayed the prosecution’s order.
“My client is not willing to agree to the order,” Lehman said. “It’s basically restricting his ability to speak to people, judge.”
Williams said he would be happy to make a formal motion that would be ruled on by the judge. But the prosecution wanted to limit James Crumbley’s communication to counsel and clergy.
“He can talk to his attorney and he can talk to legitimate clergy (during the course of the trial),” Williams said.
Late agreement
- 8:21 a.m. Friday
After the jury left the courtroom, the prosecution -- specifically, chief assistant Prosecutor David Williams -- raised an issue about James Crumbley’s ability to communicate during the trial.
The cause of the issue was not immediately made clear, but Shawn Ley learned that it stems from his phone use at the jail.
Those jail calls are recorded, and apparently, something James Crumbley said or someone he contacted rose to the level where prosecutors wanted to shut down his communication completely during the trial.
Where we’re at in testimony
- 8:08 a.m. Friday
When court resumes, Lehman will begin her cross examination of former Oakland County Sheriff’s Office computer crimes expert Edward Wagrowski.
Lehman asked to approach the bench around 3:40 p.m. Thursday after assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Marc Keast completed his questioning of Wagrowski. When the court went back on the record, Matthews sent the jury home for the day.
Trial proceedings so far
- 7:57 a.m. Friday
If you want to catch up on previous proceedings in this trial, you can read our full update articles linked below.
- Day 1 of trial (March 7).
- Day 2 of jury selection (March 6).
- Day 1 of jury selection (March 5).
Today’s schedule
- 7:43 a.m. Friday
Judge Cheryl Matthews asked the jury to be back at the courthouse and ready to resume proceedings at 9 a.m. Friday.
Court started on time Thursday, and Matthews said they were running “ahead of schedule” before a long late-morning break proceeded the prosecution’s second witness.
