Ethan Crumbley Miller Hearing Decision Expected Friday In Oakland Co.

PONTIAC, MI — An Oakland County judge is expected to determine Friday if Ethan Crumbley can face life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering four of his Oxford High School classmates in 2021.

Judge Kwame Rowe decision will wrap-up Crumbely's Miller hearing, which he's entitled because he's a minor and was charged as an adult, and faces life in prison without parole. Crumbely pleaded guilty to 24 counts, including four counts of first-degree premeditated murder, which carries an automatic life sentence without parole in Michigan.

If Oakland County Circuit Judge Kwame Rowe decides the life without parole provision is too harsh, then he must sentence Crumbley to a minimum of 25 to 40 years and a maximum of at least 60 years.

So if Crumbley does not receive a life in prison without parole, the earliest he can ask for release would be in 25 years. Life with parole is not an option for murder cases under Michigan law.

As of Monday, Crumbely's actual sentencing date is scheduled for Dec. 8.

During the Miller Hearing, prosecutors shared numerous text messages and journal writings depicting Crumbley's desire to kill, while defense lawyers largely argued Crumbley suffers from psychosis and hallucinations and should have a chance at parole.

Defense attorney Paulette Loftin said Crumbley should have the opportunity after the minimum sentence to prove he can be rehabilitated by attending therapy classes and learning to control his behavior while in prison.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, on the other hand, said Crumbley gunned down four classmates "solely for the pleasure of killing, and to increase the body count to try to make himself famous."

"It wasn't impulsive, and their expert (for the defense) even acknowledges that," McDonald added. "He didn't want anything from his victims, your honor; it wasn't settling a score. He didn't even know them, and the people he killed were also juveniles."

Ethan's parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the deadly school shooting, making them the first parents ever charged in connection to a school shooting.

The Michigan Supreme Court is fielding an appeal from the couple to have the case thrown out after an Oakland County Judge ruled in March both parents can face trial on charges in connection to the deadly school shooting.

The four students killed in the shooting were 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 16-year-old Tate Myre, 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin and 17-year-old Justin Shilling.