A judge in Michigan has ordered the parents of an alleged teenage gunman to stand trial for involuntary manslaughter. Fifteen-year-old Ethan Crumbley is being charged as an adult with first-degree murder, terrorism and gun charges over last November’s shooting at Oxford High School, which killed students Hana St. Juliana, Tate Myre, Justin Shilling and Madisyn Baldwin. Seven others were injured in the assault. On Thursday, a judge said there was enough evidence to merit a trial for Crumbley’s parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, who allegedly gave the gun used in the shooting to their son as an early Christmas present. Prosecutors say the pair failed to intervene when their son showed clear signs of mental distress in the weeks leading up to the massacre. An Oakland County sheriff’s detective testified the teen’s journal contained disturbing images and repeated, graphic entries about his plans.
Lt. Timothy Willis: “Toward the bottom half of the page, it says, 'First off, I got my gun. It's a SP2022 Sig Sauer 9mm. … Second, the shooting is tomorrow, I have access to the gun and ammo.’”
Jennifer and James Crumbley remain jailed on $500,000 bond. If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, they each face up to 60 years in prison.