The parents of the 15-year-old Michigan school shooter have been ordered by a judge to go on trial for involuntary manslaughter after their son was charged with killing four students.
Following Thursday's preliminary examination for the parents of the teenage shooter, Jennifer and James Crumbley, Rochester Hills District court judge Julie Nicholson said that she found sufficient evidence to send their case to circuit court.
Trial for Involuntary Manslaughter
Authorities are accusing the parents of the teenage suspect of making the gun used in the school shooting available to their son. They were allegedly unable to intervene when the shooter, Ethan Crumbley, showed signs of mental distress at home and at school.
The 15-year-old is charged as an adult with first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, terrorism, and gun charges for the Nov. 30, 2021, shooting at Oxford high school. The establishment is located roughly 30 miles north of Detroit.
On top of the four fatalities, six other students as well as a teacher were wounded during the horrific incident. Prosecutors said that the gun Crumbley used was given to him by his parents as an early Christmas gift, as per The Guardian.
The parents of the shooter were arrested days after the horrific incident in a Detroit warehouse following a manhunt that was ordered due to their failure to come to court for their initial arraignment. Jennifer and James have pleaded not guilty to the charges of involuntary manslaughter.
Similarly, the 15-year-old Crumbley had pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and his attorneys have said that they planned to use an insanity defense at trial. It was noted that hours before the shooting, a guidance counselor called Jennifer and James telling them he was worried that Crumbley had suicidal ideations.
According to CNN, authorities discovered phone messages that revealed the 15-year-old in contact with a friend. Crumbley told the individual that he asked his parents to take him to a doctor after he had hallucinations and heard voices. However, he noted that Jennifer and James scoffed at his request.
Michigan School Shooter
A prosecutor also urged a judge not to let Crumbley get transferred to a juvenile facility from a county jail, arguing that the Michigan school shooter killed his classmates because he "wants to be remembered."
Prosecutor Kelly Collins said that the Oakland County juvenile center was a dangerously similar setting to Oxford High School. On the other hand, the suspect's attorneys contended that with their client being housed at Oakland County Children's Village, he would have better access to education and better serve his frayed mental health.
Oakland County Judge Kwame L. Rowe said that he would make his decision on a ruling by next week on where authorities should keep Crumbley. The suspect's parents are currently being held at the same jail as their son.
Prosecutors painted an image of Crumbley as cruel, unrepentant, and talented at hiding his plans to harm others during Tuesday's hearing. His conversations with an unidentified friend included his plans to stalk, rape, torture, and kill a classmate, the Washington Post reported.
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