OXFORD, Mich. – The involuntary manslaughter trial continued Wednesday for James Crumbley, the father of the Oxford High School shooter.
Prosecutors called six witnesses to the stand last week across the first two days of the trial, three more on Monday, and six more on Tuesday. One additional witness was called Wednesday before both sides rested their case.
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 5 of the trial and subsequent jury deliberations:
Court over for the day
- 4:45 p.m. Wednesday
Court proceedings ended for the day.
Defendant James Crumbley was escorted out of the courtroom for the day by law enforcement officers. His tie was removed, and he was placed back in chains and cuffs.
Jurors leaving for the day
- 4:44 p.m. Wednesday
The jury came back into the courtroom to let the judge know they plan to leave for the day.
Jurors said they will return in the morning on Thursday, March 14 to continue deliberations. Their plan was to return to the court between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Judge Matthews reminded jurors that they may not deliberate until and unless all 12 of them are present to do so.
Court back in session
- 4:42 p.m. Wednesday
Jurors were brought back into the courtroom. Court was back in session.
James Crumbley brought into courtroom
- 4:39 p.m. Wednesday
James Crumbley was escorted back into the courtroom.
Copy of jury instructions
- 4:04 p.m. Wednesday
The jury was provided with a detailed list of instructions before they began deliberating. Those instructions were read to them by Judge Matthews before they were excused from court.
You can read the instructions in all (all 36 pages) below.
Jury considering two factors
- 3:54 p.m. Wednesday
Deliberations were underway for a jury of 12 considering whether to convict James Crumbley of four counts of involuntary manslaughter.
The prosecution had the burden of proving their case against James Crumbley. The jury may convict him if they agree that the prosecution proved at least one of two theories of involuntary manslaughter.
Here’s how prosecutors described those theories:
The defendant caused the deaths of the deceased victims by:
- Storing a firearm in a way that allowed access to it by their minor child.
OR
- Failing to perform his legal duty to protect other children from his minor child.
“In doing the act that caused the deaths, the defendant acted in a grossly negligent manner,” the prosecutors said amid their opening statement.
Prosecutors previously clarified that there can be multiple causes of death for the four students killed in the shooting. Obviously, the literal shooting is considered a cause of death, since the shooter has been convicted of their murders.
Jurors do not need to agree on which of the two theories were satisfied by the prosecution, so long as they agree that at least one was proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
James Crumbley leaves courtroom
- 3:23 p.m. Wednesday
James Crumbley was led out of the courtroom as jury deliberations get underway.
Jurors excused from courtroom
- 3:19 p.m. Wednesday
Jurors were excused from the courtroom. They were asked to wait a minute before deliberating while the court reviewed the jury instructions with the attorneys. Matthews said sometimes things can be left out unintentionally.
Court on jury’s time
- 3:18 p.m. Wednesday
Judge Matthews told the jury that the court is now operating on the jury’s time. The jury can stay late to deliberate, take an hour break anytime, decide to return to deliberate tomorrow, whatever they want. Matthews said she wants the jury to take their time, and be careful and openminded.
Jury alternates chosen
- 3:14 p.m. Wednesday
Through a blind drawing, the judge selected three jurors to serve as alternates. Those three alternates will not participate in jury deliberation, and will not be part of deciding a verdict.
Juror alternates will wait in a separate jury room while deliberations are underway. Those serving as alternates were present through the entire trial and heard all of the same evidence, and can step in if an issue arises with a jury member.
Evidence allowed in jury room
- 3:11 p.m. Wednesday
Judge Matthews told jurors that they could review evidence in the jury room during deliberations. If they want to listen to testimony, however, they must listen to the entire testimony from that person, including questions from both sides. The judge said that’s the only way it’s fair.
The judge was wrapping up her reading of the jury instructions.
Jury instructions
- 2:50 p.m. Wednesday
Judge Matthews was reading the jury instructions to jurors while in the courtroom. The instructions help jurors understand the law, the charges, what criteria must be met in order to reach a guilty verdict, what does and doesn’t count as evidence, and more.
There were several pages of jury instructions.
’The people have met the burden’
- 2:46 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald concluded the prosecution’s rebuttal closing statement by telling the jury that the students who were murdered matter, and that the prosecution has met their burden to find James Crumbley guilty.
She asked the jury to return that verdict.
‘We all have doubts about our kids’
- 2:44 p.m. Wednesday
The prosecutor told the jury that all parents have doubts and worries about their kids and what they may do, or what may happen to them. But, she said, parents are not responsible for everything their children do.
“This prosecution and this case is not inconsistent with that; it just isn’t. This is a very egregious and rare set of facts,” McDonald said.
Proving foreseeability
- 2:41 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald explained that her burden to prove is that James Crumbley could have foreseen this crime.
She said this case isn’t a statement on guns.
Revisiting evidence
- 2:37 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald walked the jury through some more evidence during her rebuttal. She urged the jury to use common sense, saying it doesn’t make sense that no one thought the shooter needed help after writing “help me” on an assignment.
McDonald put on gloves so she could hold up the murder weapon for the jury. She then showed how to insert a cable lock on the firearm, doing so rather quickly.
“That takes less than 10 seconds,” McDonald said.
Prosecution makes rebuttal statement
- 2:32 p.m. Wednesday
Prosecutor McDonald stood up to deliver a rebuttal statement after the defense’s closing argument.
McDonald asked the jury not to reach a verdict in hopes of easing some suffering -- saying no decision could do that, and that’s not why they’re in court. She again asked the jury to follow the law.
She went on to say that it’s not the prosecution’s burden to prove what James Crumbley knew, saying it’s impossible to get into someone’s mind. She again said that if they knew James Crumbley knew his son was going to kill someone, he would be charged with murder and not involuntary manslaughter.
“That’s not my burden,” McDonald said. “That is not what I have to prove.”
Lehman thanks jurors
- 2:29 p.m. Wednesday
The defense thanked the jury for their time and attention on this case. She acknowledged how emotional and difficult some of the testimony was.
She asked the jury to follow the law, and to find James Crumbley not guilty.
Her closing statement ended by 2:30 p.m.
What James Crumbley didn’t know
- 2:26 p.m. Wednesday
Lehman asked the jury to think about what James Crumbley did not know as they deliberate.
“He did not know he had to protect others from his son. He did not know he wasn’t exercising ordinary care in the way he was storing his firearm because he didn’t know that his son was planning what he was planning,” Lehman said.
The attorney added that neither James Crumbley or anyone else had any idea what the shooter was going to do.
‘Come up with your own reasonable doubt’
- 2:23 p.m. Wednesday
Lehman told the jury that they aren’t limited to the reasonable doubts she shared during her closing argument. She told jurors they could come up with their own reasonable doubts based on the testimony they heard and evidence they saw, or didn’t see.
Defense: Parents weren’t hiding
- 2:22 p.m. Wednesday
The parents were in and out of the art studio where they were found and apprehended after the shooting, Lehman said. She referenced their comings and goings, and said there were dozens of cigarette butts found outside their car.
Prosecutors allege the parents were hiding, fleeing from charges brought against them hours before they were found.
Assistant principal’s disbelief
- 2:17 p.m. Wednesday
Lehman argued that even the assistant principal at the high school, who encountered the shooter amid the shooting, was in disbelief over who the shooter was when his identity became clear.
Having vs. giving access
- 2:13 p.m. Wednesday
Lehman likens the case to a scenario in which a child steals their parent’s car without their knowledge or approval. She said James Crumbley had no idea what his son was planning, or that he had access to the firearms.
She said if the gun was really purchased for the shooter, “why was it hidden in James’ bedroom?”
Father was forthcoming to police
- 2:10 p.m. Wednesday
James Crumbley was forthcoming to law enforcement during the interview at the police substation shortly after the shooting. The father answered questions and told them about guns in the home, even after his wife suggested they don’t talk to police without an attorney, Lehman argued.
Why would he go home?
- 2:06 p.m. Wednesday
Lehman said the prosecution’s focus on James Crumbley not going home the day of the shooting doesn’t makes sense.
“Why would he go home? There was no reason to,” Lehman said. She argued James Crumbley didn’t know what was happening with his son, or that his son had obtained the gun.
Parents told school would follow up
- 2 p.m. Wednesday
Lehman said the parents didn’t think that it was an emergency, or necessary to get their son help immediately when at the school for a meeting with a counselor the morning of the shooting. They were told the school would follow up in 48 hours, and were going with that, Lehman argued.
She went on to say the school counselor and school administrator who testified were not concerned about the shooter being a potential danger to anyone.
McDonald objects to point made
- 1:54 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald objected to Lehman discussing how James Crumbley is hard of hearing, which is why he has to wear headphones in the courtroom, saying it wasn’t evidence. The judge clarified a point and asked Lehman to continue.
‘He didn’t know’
- 1:52 p.m. Wednesday
Lehman argued that if the prosecution had evidence that James Crumbley knew his son had the gun, they would have shared it, but they don’t and they didn’t. She also said that James “didn’t know” about his son accessing the gun before the shooting.
Lehman said absence of evidence from the prosecution can serve as reasonable doubt for the jury as they deliberate.
Uncertainties or doubts
- 1:50 p.m. Wednesday
Lehman explained the prosecution’s burden of proof, and how the defense doesn’t have a burden.
“In the end, if you have any questions, if there’s anything that you’re unsure of, if there’s anything that you’re wondering about, the prosecution was the only one that had a burden of proof,” Lehman said.
She told the jury they’d receive specific instructions from the judge. She reminded jurors that they’d have to find James Crumbley guilty beyond a reasonable doubt -- a significantly high level of burden.
No evidence James Crumbley knew his son had gun
- 1:49 p.m. Wednesday
Attorney Lehman argued that there was no testimony or evidence that proved that James Crumbley knew his son had access and possession of the handgun used in the shooting.
“Still, the prosecution wants you to find that James could foresee that his son was a danger to others, and that James acted in a grossly negligent manner, or breached a duty that he owed to other people, despite having no information at the time,” Lehman said.
Case is about what happened outside of school
- 1:47 p.m. Wednesday
“This case is not about what happened inside of Oxford High School,” Lehman told the jury. “This case is about what happened outside of Oxford High School. This case is about what James Crumbley knew on and before Nov. 30, 2021.”
Lehman said the prosecution is asking the jury to second guess James Crumbley’s actions on the day of the shooting.
Defense begins closing argument
- 1:44 p.m. Wednesday
Defense attorney Lehman began her side’s closing argument. She started her statement off by saying mass shootings are an epidemic in this country, and that her and James Crumbley are not disputing the horrific impact of the Oxford shooting.
‘Didn’t just fail his son’
- 1:43 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald continued he argument that James Crumbley failed to perform his legal duty to prevent the murders of four students, and he failed his son.
”He didn’t just fail to inform the school,” McDonald said. “He failed to act.”
The prosecution ended their closing statement by asking the jury to find Crumbley guilty.
‘That’s called foreseeability’
- 1:37 p.m. Wednesday
The prosecution walked the jury through James Crumbley’s whereabouts right after the shooting occurred. She described how he drove home while on the phone with his wife and learned the 9 mm handgun was missing.
James Crumbley called 911 about 14 minutes after returning home, and after a 10-minute conversation with his wife, McDonald said.
”There were 1,800 students in Oxford High School. There was one parent who suspected their son was the school shooter -- and that was James Crumbley,” McDonald said. “You know what that’s called? That’s called foreseeability.”
Then McDonald played the father’s 911 call from the day of the shooting.
James Crumbley didn’t shoot gun he bought
- 1:35 p.m. Wednesday
James Crumbley didn’t even shoot the gun he purchased four days of the shooting, McDonald said.
“He didn’t fire it once,” McDonald said. “He purchased it on Friday. On Saturday he was gone all day doing DoorDash. On Sunday he was gone all day on DoorDash. And yet, he wants you to believe he had this secure hiding spot -- what, it was a hiding spot for one day?
“We know it wasn’t there on Saturday -- we have the shooter taking pictures of it,” McDonald said. “We know the cable lock isn’t around. And we know Jennifer leaves. [The shooter’s] alone with this gun.”
His son was isolated
- 1:29 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald said James Crumbley knew his son was “completely isolated” after abruptly losing a friend. The shooter was also reportedly going through a hard time after losing his grandparent and a family dog, and was struggling with COVID.
The shooter had also written to a friend and in his journal that he asked his parents for help, and they wouldn’t get him mental health help.
Getting emotional, McDonald said after everything he knew, James Crumbley saw a cry for help on the shooter’s now-infamous math worksheet, and still declined to do anything. She argues James Crumbley decided to go to work, rather than take his son out of school.
Cable lock wasn’t in gun case
- 1:25 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald showed the jury photos from the shooting range -- which the shooter went to with his mother a few days before the shooting. In that photo, the shooter could be seen packing up the 9 mm in its plastic case when finished shooting.
She said the cable lock, which was provided with the gun when purchased the day before, was no longer in the case.
Shooter’s journal
- 1:24 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald showed the jury excerpts from the shooter’s journal, which were shared earlier at this trial. She points to a passage in which the shooter said he had access to the 9 mm gun and its ammunition.
In that journal, the shooter explicitly described his plans and desire to carry out a mass school shooting.
‘This couldn’t be everybody’
- 1:21 p.m. Wednesday
Taking a child hunting, or buying a firearm, or letting a child drive a car does not lead to a criminal charge for parents, McDonald said. The prosecutor told jurors to beware of the defense’s argument that “this could be you.”
“This couldn’t be everybody,” McDonald said. She went on to clarify that James Crumbley has been charged due to extremely specific circumstances and his alleged ability to have foreseen dangerous behavior from his son.
Describing murders
- 1:19 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald said prosecutors don’t enjoy sharing footage of the shooting, but that they had to share it with jurors. She then walked jurors through how each of the four students were murdered in the Oxford shooting. Surveillance video of the shooting was not played again.
Questions from the very beginning
- 1:17 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald said prosecutors followed the evidence of this case, and they had questions “from the very beginning” that needed to be answered.
Specifically, she pointed to the fact that the handgun used was purchased four days before the shooting by James Crumbley, who was also at the school on the day of the shooting.
‘Impression’ of sleeping
- 1:10 p.m. Wednesday
The parents of the shooter have long been accused by prosecutors of fleeing from their involuntary manslaughter charges after the shooting.
McDonald said Wednesday that James Crumbley created an illusion of being asleep the night he was apprehended, essentially ignoring the dozens of police officers in the building looking for him. McDonald referenced testimony offered by a SWAT team officer, who said battering rams were used to open several doors in the building, and were quite loud.
She also went on to say how the parents’ cellphones were turned off when they were apprehended.
‘That house was small’
- 1:10 p.m. Wednesday
The prosecutor said the house was pretty small, alluding that it wouldn’t have been difficult to find the firearm used in the shooting. She said there weren’t that many pieces of furniture in the parents’ master bedroom, where the empty 9 mm gun case and a separate gun safe were found by law enforcement.
‘He doesn’t get a pass’
- 1:07 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald said she doesn’t like how school staff and administrators handled the shooting and the shooter, but that’s not what this case is about.
“He doesn’t get a pass because you don’t think the teachers did enough,” McDonald said. “He doesn’t get a pass for that.”
She argues James Crumbley should be held accountable because he bought the murder weapon, allegedly didn’t secure it, didn’t get help for his son, and didn’t take him home after the meeting on the day of the shooting.
Emphasizing what James Crumbley knew
- 1:04 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald focused on what James Crumbley didn’t mention before and after the shooting.
McDonald said James Crumbley downplayed the severity of the disturbing drawings and messages written on his son’s math worksheet while at the police substation after the shooting.
Before the shooting, she referenced how James texted his wife “WTF” after initially seeing the worksheet, showing concern.
McDonald also said the father never once asked or expressed concern about how his son got the gun used in the shooting while interviewing with police after the fact. Not once did James Crumbley say, “how did he get the gun?” McDonald said.
“And you know why he didn’t say it? He didn’t say it because he knew. He knew his son had access to the gun,” McDonald said.
Walking back through testimony
- 12:58 p.m. Wednesday
The prosecution walked the jury back through testimony provided by their witnesses, going in order. On the screens in the courtroom, McDonald had a photo of each witness and bullet points highlighting important aspects of their testimonies.
Click here to watch all of the witness testimonies from this trial.
McDonald: Shooting was foreseeable, preventable
- 12:53 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald said the role of the prosecution is to show the evidence that depicts the truth, and that it’s not their role to sanitize the tragic situation.
She went on to say how they believe the evidence shows the shooting was foreseeable and preventable by the shooter’s father. McDonald also clarified that they don’t believe James Crumbley knew a mass murder was intended, otherwise he would be charged with murder. Instead, he’s accused of being negligent, she said.
Prosecutor explains legal theories
- 12:47 p.m. Wednesday
McDonald walked the jury through the two theories of involuntary manslaughter that the jury can use to convict James Crumbley, if they choose to.
The jury only needs to agree that at least one of the two theories was proven by the prosecution beyond a reasonable doubt; they don’t have to agree on which theory.
She reminded the jury that Judge Matthews is the authority on the law, and that the jurors will receive specific instructions from Matthews on what is required for a conviction or acquittal.
Prosecutor begins closing argument
- 12:42 p.m. Wednesday
Judge Matthews reminded the jury that closing arguments are not considered evidence. She also said because prosecutors have the burden of proof, they also have the right to rebuttal.
Prosecutor Karen McDonald stepped forward to offer the prosecution’s closing argument to the jury. She began by describing the experiences of law enforcement who responded to the Oxford shooting.
Who’s in the courtroom
- 12:39 p.m. Wednesday
The judge entered the courtroom. All attorneys were present and introduced themselves.
The jury was brought in moments later.
James Crumbley’s father and stepmother were in the courtroom on Wednesday, according to Local 4′s Shawn Ley, who was also present.
The shooter’s sister, who testified earlier this morning, also appeared to be sticking around for closing arguments.
James Crumbley brought in
- 12:36 p.m. Wednesday
James Crumbley was brought back into the courtroom for closing arguments. His chains and cuffs were removed before the jury arrives.
Court prepares for closing arguments
- 12:20 p.m. Wednesday
People were starting to return to the courtroom for closing arguments. The jury was expected to return at 12:30 p.m.
Murder weapon’s whereabouts a mystery
- 11:47 a.m. Wednesday
It may never be clear where exactly the murder weapon was located in the days before the shooting.
Since James Crumbley chose not to testify at his trial, the only testimony the public can rely on belongs to Jennifer Crumbley, who did testify in her defense at her trial. Jennifer claimed her husband was responsible for storing the family’s guns, and that he was the last adult to physically handle the murder weapon before it was accessed by the shooter.
But specific details are still cloudy.
---> More: Why we’ll never know where murder weapon was in days before Oxford shooting
James Crumbley’s only testimony
- 10:46 a.m. Wednesday
James Crumbley went before the court on Wednesday to express that it was his decision to not testify at his trial. The testimony was offered in court so as to be part of the official court record.
Such practices are common for transparency and clarity and court.
James Crumbley will not be testifying in his own defense at his trial.
You can watch Crumbley answer questions on the record below.
Only 1 witness for defense
- 10:28 a.m. Wednesday
The defense only called one witness to build their case on Wednesday: the defendant’s sister.
At the beginning of Wednesday’s proceedings, Lehman told the judge -- before the jury walked in -- that the defense decided not to call two witnesses on their witness list. Those witnesses are believed to be related to James Crumbley, though it wasn’t said exactly how.
Lehman said prosecutors were made aware of this change before entering court today.
James Crumbley leaves courtroom
- 10:02 a.m. Wednesday
James Crumbley removed his tie and was placed into police custody. He was escorted out of the courtroom by officers.
James Crumbley sworn in
- 9:58 a.m. Wednesday
James Crumbley was sworn into the court to make a public record under oath once the jury left the room.
Lehman asked James if he understood his circumstances and his right to remain silent during his trial -- meaning he was not obligated to testify.
After clarifying a few more points, Lehman asked if it was James’ decision to testify or remain silent. He said he wished to remain silent.
Jury excused through lunch
- 9:56 a.m. Wednesday
The jury was excused from the courtroom. Their lunches were scheduled to arrive at 11:30 a.m.
Matthews said the jury was allowed to go outside, but asked them to avoid people in and out of the courtroom.
Closing arguments after lunch
- 9:53 a.m. Wednesday
Judge Matthews apologized to the jury, saying she was trying to see if their lunches could arrive early.
She said closing arguments would begin at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, after the jury had their lunch.
Matthews gave instructions to the jury to not read, listen to, or watch any news reports on the case in the meantime. They were also asked to not go on social media, do research, or discuss the case with anyone.
Attorneys in waiting
- 9:52 a.m. Wednesday
Keast appeared to leave the courtroom after the attorneys had a sidebar with the judge. Lehman and McDonald were seated at their tables, but the microphones hadn’t yet been turned back on.
The next step for the trial was not immediately clear.
No more witnesses
- 9:50 a.m. Wednesday
The defense said they had no further witnesses after Karen Crumbley was excused. The prosecution said they had no further witnesses, too.
The judge asked both sides to approach the bench.
Re-direct and re-cross
- 9:46 a.m. Wednesday
Lehman asks about the family’s guns, and Karen’s opinions about it. Karen said it would be concerning if a gun was purchased for a child to use at their leisure, but she saw no issue with a gun being used with adult supervision.
The sister apparently saw the guns in the Crumbley’s home when visiting in June 2021.
Whether siblings were close
- 9:44 a.m. Wednesday
Keast talked about whether Karen Crumbley had a close relationship with her brother. She said they communicated often, but did live in different states.
In an attempt to show the siblings weren’t very close, Keast briefly went over call logs and text messages, saying they only had three actual phone calls in 2021, and only shared 22 instant messages between them for the entire year.
Cross-examination of sister
- 9:40 a.m. Wednesday
Keast asked if the last time Karen Crumbley saw her nephew in person was in June 2021. The witness hesitated, and the attorneys approached the bench to discuss something privately.
James Crumbley in Florida
- 9:36 a.m. Wednesday
Karen Crumbley says she lives in Florida with her family, and where their mother also lived. Karen said her brother was in town for their mother’s passing in April 2021. His son -- the shooter -- also came down to attend services.
Lehman asked whether the sister heard her brother state any concerns about his son. She said no.
When
Defense’s first witness
- 9:33 a.m. Wednesday
Defense attorney Lehman called their first witness, Karen Crumbley, the sister of James Crumbley.
Lehman asked Karen not to use the shooter’s name during her testimony, since the court has ordered them not to.
Prosecution rests
- 9:31 a.m. Wednesday
The prosecution officially rested their case.
Brandon excused
- 9:30 a.m. Wednesday
Lehman clarified that the shooter’s parents had stepped outside to smoke while staying at the art studio on Dec. 3, 2021. Brandon agreed.
Brandon was excused as a witness.
More questions for Brett Brandon
- 9:28 a.m. Wednesday
Keast asked Agent Brandon about whether the parents had left the art studio building where they were staying at the time they were apprehended on Dec. 4, 2021. Brandon said he reviewed surveillance video and never saw them leave.
Brandon said the owner of the art studio dropped off bags of groceries and a case of water to the art studio on Dec. 3, 2021, when the Crumbley parents were there.
Prosecutors recall witness
- 9:25 a.m. Wednesday
The prosecution asked to briefly recall their previous witness ATF Special Agent Brett Brandon.
The jury was brought into the room.
Court is in session
- 9:19 a.m. Wednesday
Judge Matthews entered the courtroom, and court was in session.
The proceedings began with Keast saying he wanted to speak about timing. The judge asked if he had received a copy of the expert witness description, referencing witness Wagrowski, who was deemed an expert witness in his field.
Keast asked the judge to speak off the record about something or someone named Simon. Attorneys had a sidebar with the judge.
After the sidebar, the judge said she will make some minor tweaks to the jury instructions.
James Crumbley enters courtroom
- 9:13 a.m. Wednesday
Defendant James Crumbley was brought into the courtroom. His chains and handcuffs were removed, and we put on his tie for the trial.
Prosecutors were in the courtroom, but defense attorney Lehman and the judge still weren’t present.
Previous days of trial
- 9:12 a.m. Wednesday
If you want to revisit what happened previously in the trial, here are our update articles:
- Day 4 of trial (March 12).
- Day 3 of trial (March 11).
- Day 2 of trial (March 8).
- Day 1 of trial (March 7).
- Day 2 of jury selection (March 6)
- Day 1 of jury selection (March 5).
Witnesses so far
- 9:08 a.m. Wednesday
Here’s a full list of the witnesses who have been called by the prosecution so far:
- Molly Darnell, an Oxford High School staff member who was shot in the arm during the school shooting.
- Edward Wagrowski, a former member of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office computer crimes unit.
- Robert Koteles, a crime scene supervisor for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
- Cammy Back, who works at the gun store where the SIG Sauer handgun.
- Sgt. Joe Brian, a detective sergeant with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
- Kristy Gibson-Marshall, the assistant principal at Oxford High School.
- Shawn Hopkins, an Oxford High School counselor at the time of the shooting.
- Nicholas Ejak, the dean of students for Oxford High School at the time of the shooting.
- ATF Special Agent Brett Brandon.
- Detective Adam Stoyek with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
- David Hendrick, formerly a member of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s fugitive apprehension team.
- Luke Kirtley, Detroit coffee company owner who found the Crumbley parents and called 911 to report them.
- David Metzke, a Detroit police officer on the department’s SWAT team that apprehended the Crumbley parents.
- William Creer, Detroit police crime scene investigator who investigated the art studio where the parents were found.
- Detective Lt. Timothy Willis with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. He’s the officer in charge of the Oxford case.
The prosecution called 21 witnesses during the Jennifer Crumbley trial, but the judge indicated that they don’t plan to call that many this time around. All of the witnesses above testified at Jennifer Crumbley’s trial, apart from David Metzke.
Prosecution may rest today
- 8:57 a.m. Wednesday
Proceedings ended Tuesday afternoon after Assistant Prosecutor Keast said the prosecution had no further witnesses for the day. Keast said before the prosecution can officially rest, prosecutors needed to go over some exhibits that underwent “a lot of modifications” throughout the trial.
If the prosecution doesn’t have any more witnesses to call on Wednesday, they will rest, allowing the defense to begin calling their witnesses.
It was believed that prosecutors would call to the stand a student who was injured in the shooting. No such student had been called so far.
No students testified at Jennifer Crumbley’s trial.
What happened on Day 4
- 8:41 a.m. Wednesday
Day four of the trial included testimony from six more of the prosecution’s witnesses, including members of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office who helped search James Crumbley’s home after the shooting, and search for the Crumbley parents when they were believed to be on the run. Both of those witnesses testified at Jennifer Crumbley’s trial, and offered similar testimony.
Witnesses also included the Detroit business owner who found the parents and called 911, and the crime scene investigator who searched the art studio where the parents were found. These witnesses also testified at Jennifer Crumbley’s trial.
A new witness Wednesday was a Detroit police officer who’s on the department’s SWAT team, known as SRT. He was part of the crew called to the art studio to apprehend James Crumbley and his wife.
The final witness Tuesday was Detective Lt. Timothy Willis with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. He is the officer in charge of the Oxford shooting case. He walked through details of the shooting, those killed and injured, and the shooter’s journal. In that journal, the shooter explicitly described his plans and desire to carry out a mass school shooting.
Detective Lt. Willis also testified at Jennifer Crumbley’s trial, and offered similar testimony then.
Today’s schedule
- 8:30 a.m. Wednesday
Proceedings ended around 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday. Matthews asked the jury to be ready to resume by 9 a.m. Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the fourth day of the trial, proceedings began at 9:15 a.m.
