Oxford High School Shooter Not Eligible For Parole: Michigan Judge

PONTIAC, MI — Ethan Crumbley could spend the rest of his life in prison after fatally shooting four students and wounding seven other people at Oxford High School in November 2021, an Oakland County Judge ruled Friday.

In making his decision, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwame Rowe said the shooting was thoughtfully planned out and that Crumbley had time to change his mind. Rowe also expressed doubt over the chances for rehabilitation for Crumbley, noting Crumbley's obsession with violence.

Although Rowe noted Crumbley was suffering from a mental illness, he said Crumbley had a "good childhood" overall that included vacations and pets, and that he did not suffer from any kind of abuse. Even though Rowe said Crumbley's parents neglected the teen, he said it wasn't enough to sway the court's opinion.

Rowe spent the last month reviewing evidence from the four-day Miller Hearing in making his decision. Crumbley was entitled to the pre-sentencing hearing because he was charged as a minor with first-degree murder, which carries an automatic life-sentence without parole in Michigan. By law, a judge was required to review the case by law to determine if Crumbley's age, 17, played a role in the sentencing. Crumbley was 15 at the time of the Nov. 30, 2021 shooting.

Crumbely pleaded guilty to 24 counts, including four counts of first-degree premeditated murder and terrorism. 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.

Crumbely's actual sentencing date is scheduled for Dec. 8.

Miller Hearing Testimony

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."

Crumbley's Parents

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 couple pleaded not guilty and remain in the Oakland County Jail with a $500,000 bond each. An Oakland County judge refused to reduce their bond multiple times after prosecutors deemed the couple as a flight risk.

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.