Oakland Co. Judge Grants Crumbley Parents' Request For Separate Trials

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — An Oakland County judge has granted the Crumbley parents' request for separate criminal trials on charges in connection to the deadly Oxford school shooting committed by their son, according to a court filing.

Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews granted the request, although it wasn’t immediately clear who would go first. Their joint trial was expected to start on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Oakland County.

Prosecutors acknowledged the couple is entitled to separate trials, but they noted two trials can be difficult for victims’ families and shooting survivors.

"Separate trials in this case come at significant cost to victims, witnesses, taxpayers, and the additional jurors who will serve," the prosecutors’ filing read. "But the Constitution affords the defendant that right, and the People agree that the defendant is entitled to a separate trial."

Lawyers for Jennifer and James Crumbley filed a request for separate trials Monday, arguing it's necessary to "avoid prejudice" and "promote fairness" in the case. That request came after at least two witnesses spoke to police in Florida, according to court documents.

Defense lawyers did not provide any details about the interviews, but said prosecutors "provided the police reports and audio recorded copies of the interviews to the defense" on Nov. 2, according to court documents. Defense lawyers said that evidence could create a potential conflict of interest.

The couple 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 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.

The couple's son, 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. He will be sentenced Dec. 8.