Law Professor Files Complaint Asking AG To Probe Oxford Officials

OXFORD, MI — A law professor from George Washington University filed a complaint Tuesday asking the Michigan Attorney General's office to investigate Oxford school officials.

John F. Banzhaf III told Patch on Tuesday he sent the three-paragraph complaint to the state Attorney General Dana Nessel's office. The complaint accuses several Oxford High School officials of “gross negligence homicide.”

"I write to most respectfully file a formal complaint of apparent criminal wrongdoing (violation of criminal law) against Oxford High, and several of its counselors, teachers, and others whose names are unknown to me, for gross negligence homicide and other possible crimes," Banzhaf said.

Banzhaf argued in the complaint that recent developments surrounding the actions of school officials led to the deaths of four students and wounding seven other people. He said he filed the complaint after learning of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's willingness and eagerness to investigate the high school's actions in the lead-up to the deadly shooting. An investigation by her office, he said, would "assure the public" the review would be done fairly.

A similar complaint filed by Banzhaf in Georgia regarding the failed attempt of former President Donald Trump's phone call request to "Find 11,800 Votes" led to a criminal investigation.

The Oxford school district previously rejected Nessel's offer to conduct an independent investigation to determine the facts that led up to the shooting. The school district instead opted for a private security firm to review the events.

Nessel said she was "extremely disappointed' that the school district declined her offer.

On Tuesday, Nessel said she would continue to travel to Oxford to meet with parents, school officials and others to review policies and procedures related to guns and school safety, The Detroit Free Press reported.

"I want to hear everything that they have to say," Nessel said in a Zoom call with reporters. "I want to hear what their concerns are."

Despite the school district's rejection, Nessel said Tuesday her office will review the events that occurred prior to the deadly shooting.

"What we can’t do is nothing. It’s not appropriate," Nessel told reporters, according to The Associated Press, calling the week-old attack a "tragedy on every level. I really do think it’s incumbent upon the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the top law enforcement official in the state to conduct a further review."