Crumbley Parents Appeal MI Court Ruling Stating They Can Face Trial

MICHIGAN — Jennifer and James Crumbley have asked the Michigan Supreme Court to reverse a lower court's ruling stating they can face trial on charges in connection to the deadly Oxford school shooting, according to court documents.

The couple filed the appeal Wednesday, arguing the "Court of Appeals’ decision is clearly erroneous, will cause injustices, and conflicts with Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court precedent."

The motion does not mean the high court will hear the case. If justices reject the motion, the lower court ruling stands and the parents stand trial on the charges in connection to the shooting.

If justices decide to hear the case, they will listen to arguments from the defense and prosecutors. If the high court were to reverse the ruling, all charges in connection to the shooting against the couple would be dismissed, and the parents would be released from jail.

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled on March 23 there is enough evidence to try the couple on charges in connection to the deadly Oxford school shooting. Both the defense and prosecutors argued their cases.

The defense argued the couple cannot be held responsible for the "independent acts" of their son, who pleaded guilty to killing four students at Oxford High School, while prosecutors claimed the couple ignored disturbing warning signs from their son leading up to the deadly shooting, and instead of getting him help, they bought him a gun.

The parents were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the deadly school shooting that left four students dead and seven other people wounded. The couple was placed separately in Oakland County Jail, each with a $500,000 bond. They have been denied a bond reduction numerous times. Their trial was originally expected to start on Jan. 17, 2023. A new date has not yet been scheduled.

The couple's son, Ethan Crumbley, 16, pleaded guilty to killing four students and wounding seven other people when he walked out of the boy's bathroom and began firing inside Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021. He was placed in the Oakland County Jail while he waits for a sentencing date.