PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) – Jennifer Crumbley’s role as a “vigilant parent and helicopter mom” came into question as prosecutors continued to challenge her self-description during her testimony Friday. Instead of portraying herself as a dedicated parent, the mother of school shooter Ethan Crumbley was accused of being too preoccupied with her hobbies, such as her horses, and an extramarital affair to notice her son’s deteriorating mental state.
During cross-examination, Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Marc Keast confronted Crumbley regarding her decision not to be with her son on the day of the shooting at Oxford High School in 2021. This decision to leave her 15-year-old son at school is part of a pattern of choices that prosecutors believe contributes to a case alleging Crumbley’s unlawful negligence.
The unprecedented trial revolves around the charge of holding a parent of a school shooter criminally responsible for their child’s actions. The jury must determine if Crumbley, 45, is guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of four students by either failing to store the firearm in a way that would have prevented her son from accessing the gun and ammunition or failing to exercise “reasonable care” to prevent him from carrying out the mass shooting.
The prosecution emphasized that Crumbley was aware of warning signs that Ethan was troubled and yet never sought the help of a mental health professional in the months before the shooting. Additionally, they questioned her involvement in her husband buying their son the semi-automatic handgun, as well as her decision to leave the storage of the weapon up to her husband.
James Crumbley, 47, is also expected to stand trial next month on the same involuntary manslaughter charges. The trial has been emotionally charged, with jurors hearing from survivors of the shooting and watching video footage of the massacre from inside the high school. Throughout the trial, Jennifer Crumbley has shown remorse about her son’s actions.
Ethan Crumbley’s rampage led to the deaths of four students: Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, and Justin Shilling. The prosecution highlighted the fact that Jennifer Crumbley seemed preoccupied with maintaining an extramarital affair, raising questions about her time and energy, in contrast to her self-description as a vigilant parent.
Closing arguments were expected Friday, and while 17 people have been called as jurors, only 12 will weigh Crumbley’s fate. The jury has not been sequestered during the trial but has been instructed to refrain from watching news reports, checking social media, or discussing the case.