Oxford High School Shooter Gets Tentative Sentencing Hearing Date

PONTIAC, MI — A judge set a tentative sentencing hearing date for Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley during a Friday morning hearing.

Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwame Rowe ruled Crumbley will remain in the Oakland County Jail and set June 2 as a possible sentencing hearing, known as a Miller hearing, which must happen before sentencing a juvenile to life without parole.

Crumbley, 16, pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including four counts of murder, one count of terrorism, seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possession of a firearm while in the commission of a felony. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, and prosecutors said they plan to seek the maximum sentence of life without parole.

Crumbley admitted he walked out of the boy's bathroom in Oxford High School on Nov. 30 and began firing dozens of shots at people, killing four students and wounding seven other people, including a teacher.

Crumbley's parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the deadly Oxford school shooting. They have pleaded not guilty and face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

The couple was placed separately in Oakland County Jail, each with a $500,000 bond. They were denied a bond reduction numerous times. Their trial was originally expected to start on Jan. 17, but the Michigan Supreme Court issued a stay on the case and sent it back to the Court of Appeals.

Earlier this month, defense lawyers argued the couple cannot be held responsible for the "independent acts" of their son, while prosecutors argued the couple ignored disturbing warning signs leading up to the deadly shooting.

A decision from the Michigan Court of Appeals on whether the case moves to trial should come within the next few months.