Jennifer Crumbley Wants Bird Torture Evidence Blocked From Her Trial: Reports

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Jennifer Crumbley asked a judge to block prosecutors from showing jurors evidence claiming that her son tortured baby birds in the months leading up to the deadly Oxford School Shooting, according to multiple reports citing court documents.

Crumbley's lawyer, Shannon Smith, argued the evidence should not be shown to jurors because her son "intentionally hid" any evidence of bird mutilation from his parents, reports said.

Moreover, Smith argued the evidence "suggests bad character of the parents," which she said is irrelevant to the case because there's no evidence Jennifer Crumbley was aware of the "shooter’s disgusting acts with birds."

"The 'bird evidence' is so extremely disgusting, sickening, and appalling that its admission would certainly inflame the passions of a jury," Smith said. "The jury will undoubtedly judge Mrs. Crumbley for the heinous acts of her son, which she knew nothing about."

Prosecutors said Jennifer's son, Ethan Crumbley, tortured animals and kept a baby bird’s head in a jar on his bedroom floor. He later took the jar to school and placed it in a school bathroom, prosecutors said.

The request to block the evidence comes after prosecutors said Jennifer Crumbley was heard telling other inmates inside the Oakland County Jail that it's her husband's fault their son carried out the 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.

An Oakland County judge has blocked some evidence from the parents' trial, including Ethan's internet search history and his Instagram posts, as well as parts of their lifestyle that included heavy drinking and marijuana use.

Prosecutors said James Crumbley bought their son the handgun he used in the deadly attack as a Christmas present.

Ethan Crumbley, 17, pleaded guilty to 24 counts, including four counts of first-degree premeditated murder and terrorism, in connection to the Oxford school shooting in November 2021. His sentencing hearing begins Friday.

Jennifer Crumbley and her husband, James Crubmley, were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the deadly Oxford school shooting. They are being held in the Oakland County Jail with a $500,000 bond each. If convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison.

The couple is the first set of parents charged in connection to a deadly school shooting.

After standing in courtrooms together for nearly two years, the couple requested to be tried separately. An Oakland County judge granted that request. Their trial is expected to start on Jan. 23, 2024.