OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – The mother of the Oxford school shooter wants her conviction tossed.
Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter for her role in her son’s shooting at Oxford High School in November 2021. This is the first case of its kind to hold a parent responsible for their child’s actions when it comes to a school shooting.
Crumbley is asking the Court of Appeals to toss her conviction based on what she and her attorney said are major issues with the prosecution’s case.
Prosecutors showed Crumbley ignored her child in crisis, his pleas for help and she did not tell school officials that a gun was purchased for her son.
Crumbley is arguing that school officials are to blame for sending her son back to class the day of the shooting without checking his backpack, despite having the shooter’s own words that he was crying out for help.
“There’s a reason why no parent in America has ever been held responsible for the criminal acts of their child in relation to a school shooting,” said Crumbley’s attorney Michael Dezsi. “It is because Mrs. Crumbley committed no crime. This case should be concerning for parents everywhere.”
“Parents everywhere are worried,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald in response to Dezsi’s statement. “But they are not worried about being prosecuted, they are worried about their kids being shot at school. James and Jennifer Crumbley are the rare, grossly negligent exception, and twenty-four jurors unanimously agreed they are responsible for the deaths of Hana, Madisyn, Tate, and Justin. Holding them accountable for their role is one important step in making our schools safer.”
Crumbley’s attorney said side deals with school officials and prosecutors for them to avoid prosecution in exchange for their testimony was a major problem, and her conviction should be tossed.
Chief Assistant David Williams released the following statement regarding witness testimony:
“No witnesses were given anything for their testimony, and there was no immunity – these witnesses testified without any promises or protection whatsoever. The Michigan Court of Appeals has already reviewed the legal issues raised by Jennifer Crumbley and rejected them. Where there are egregious facts like these – where two parents ignored the obvious signs that their son was in crisis, bought him a gun and failed to secure it, and then failed to disclose the existence of the gun or take their son home when he drew out his plans, including writing “blood everywhere” with a picture of a gun and a body with bleeding bullet wounds, they can and should be prosecuted. ”
