Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of the Michigan teenager who shot and killed four students and wounded seven other people at Oxford High School, has been found guilty on all four counts of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the 2021 shooting. The jury of six men and six women reached its decision on its second day of deliberations.
In December, Crumbley's 17-year-old son was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting. He previously pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree murder and terrorism.
During Jennifer Crumbley’s trial, prosecutors pointed to evidence that she should have been aware of her son's mental state and actions prior to the shooting. The defense argued that she had no idea her son was planning the attack and could not have foreseen his actions.
SEE MORE: Mother of Oxford school shooter testifies in manslaughter trial
However, the shooter's personal journal that was recovered on the day of the shooting depicted a darker story. It detailed the shooter's struggles with mental health, contained repeated entries indicating his intent to shoot up the school, and dozens of pages with drawings of guns. Similar drawings ultimately landed the shooter in the counselor's office on the day of the attack, but a counselor who testified in the trial said the Crumbleys refused to take their son home when they were notified.
The shooter's father, James Crumbley, is also scheduled to stand trial next month on the same charges as his wife. They both face up to 15 years behind bars.
The Crumbleys are believed to be the first parents of a school shooter to stand trial on allegations that they caused their son's actions through gross negligence or by willfully disregarding the threat he posed to others by failing to act on signs that he may be dangerous.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS:
Nov. 26, 2021: James Crumbley buys a 9mm Sig Sauer from Acme Shooting Goods in Oxford. His son Ethan, 15 at the time, posts a photo on Instagram of himself holding the semi-automatic handgun, writing: “Just got my new beauty today. SIG SAUER 9mm. Any questions I will answer.” He includes an emoji of a smiling face with heart eyes.
Nov. 27, 2021: Jennifer Crumbley and Ethan take turns shooting the gun at a range. She writes on social media that it is a “mom and son day testing out his new Christmas present.”
Nov. 29, 2021: A teacher sees Ethan, a sophomore at Oxford High, searching online for ammunition with his cellphone during class and reports it. Ethan tells school staff that he and his mother recently went to a shooting range and that shooting sports are a family hobby. School personnel call his mother to notify her but says he’s not in trouble. While exchanging text messages with her son, she writes: “Lol. I’m not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught.” That night, Ethan Crumbley records a video declaring his plan to kill students.
Nov. 30, 2021: Ethan Crumbley opens fire at Oxford High School, killing four students. Seven others, including a teacher, are wounded. His parents had met with school officials earlier in the day because violent drawings were found on a math paper, but he was not removed from school. Ethan’s backpack was also not searched. A gun in the backpack was used in the attack. The shooter surrenders without a fight.
Dec. 1, 2021: Ethan is charged as an adult with murder and terrorism.
Dec. 3, 2021: James and Jennifer Crumbley are charged with involuntary manslaughter. Authorities cannot find them, and a search is launched.
Dec. 4, 2021: A judge imposes a combined $1 million bond for the parents, hours after police say they were caught hiding in a Detroit art studio with new phones and more than $6,000 in cash. They plead not guilty to the charges.
Dec. 9, 2021: The first lawsuits are filed seeking $100 million each against the Oxford school district, saying the violence could have been prevented.
Jan. 24, 2022: Oxford High School reopens for the first time since the attack, with the school’s principal declaring “we are reclaiming our high school back.”
Oct. 24, 2022: Ethan Crumbley, 16 at the time, pleads guilty to terrorism and first-degree murder.
Dec. 9, 2023: A judge sentences Ethan Crumbley, now 17, to life in prison after listening to hours of gripping anguish from parents and wounded survivors.
Jan. 23, 2024: Jennifer Crumbley stands trial on involuntary manslaughter charges in an unusual effort to pin criminal responsibility on his parents for the deaths.
Feb. 6, 2024: Jurors convict Jennifer Crumbley of four involuntary manslaughter charges, the first time a parent has been prosecuted and found guilty in a mass school shooting committed by their child.
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