James Crumbley trial told ‘three people were responsible’ for Michigan school shooting
His wife and son were both convicted — now a Michigan jury will determine whether James Crumbley sees the same fate
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
James Crumbley, the father of the convicted Oxford high school shooter, is set to appear in an Oakland County, Michigan courtroom on Thursday 7 March.
Jury selection began on 5 March — just a month after Jennifer Crumbley, the defendant’s wife, was convicted on four counts of involuntary manslaughter. Mr Crumbley faces the same charges. He has pleaded not guilty.
The Crumbleys’ son fatally shot four of his classmates in November 2021. In December, the 17-year-old was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Now, Mr Crumbley faces a jury.
Throughout his wife’s trial, the defence team pointed fingers at him as being responsible for everything to do with firearms, saying she was uncomfortable dealing with guns. Last month’s trial revealed that Mr Crumbley went to a gun store with his teenage son to purchase what would become the murder weapon four days later.
Mr Crumbley’s defence will have to emphasise his dedication to gun storage, if his wife’s trial serves as precedent.
The jury foreperson said after Jennifer Crumbley’s guilty verdict was read: “The thing that really hammered it home is that she was the last adult with the gun”.
A judge had denied change of venue for James Crumbley trial
James Crumbley wanted jurors from a different county to hear the case, arguing that he could not get a fair trial because of widespread publicity and his wife’s recent conviction.
“They have been clearly convicted in the court of public opinion,” defense lawyer Mariell Lehman said in a 14 February court filing.
It’s unusual in Michigan to change the location of a trial or to bring in jurors from another county.
James Crumbley, 47, is accused of making a gun accessible to Ethan Crumbley and failing to get mental health care for his son.
DoorDash route on the day of the shooting, revealed
Prosecutors asked a witness to go over James Crumbley’s route as a DoorDash driver on the day of the shooting, 30 November 2021.
Mr Crumbley stopped at a McDonald’s and a smoothie bar, records show.
At 1.09pm, Mr Crumbley received an email from the school with the subject line “Active Emergency at OHS”, Mr Wagrowski testified.
Moments later, he called his son, phone records indicate. He also had a 50-second phone call with his wife.
He then went home, records indicated.
At 1.23pm, the defendant’s wife sent a message writing to someone else: “The gun is gone and so are the bullets.” She also said she was nervous that he was going to “kill himself.”
James Crumbley’s chilling 911 call played in court
James Crumbley then called 911 at 1.34pm, a recording of which was played in court.
“I’m at my house....I have a missing gun at my house. And my son is at the school,” he can be heard telling the 911 operator, saying that he had heard there was an active shooter. “I’m really freaking out. My son’s name is Ethan Crumbley,” he could be heard saying.
The call was made before shooting was made public, Mr Wagrowski said.