OXFORD, Mich. – The trial of James Crumbley, the father of the Oxford High School shooter, is currently underway. Jurors are deliberating on the charges of involuntary manslaughter against him, in connection with the tragic deaths of four students in November 2021.
After both sides rested their cases on Wednesday, March 14, jury deliberations began in the afternoon and are set to resume on Thursday morning. The trial has been closely followed, with livestream coverage available to the public.
James Crumbley is accused of failing to take steps that could have prevented his son from carrying out the shooting. Prosecutors argue that the father was grossly negligent in providing proper care for his son, who had reported experiencing hallucinations and struggling with his mental health. Instead of addressing these concerns, the parents allegedly purchased a handgun for their son.
In Michigan, involuntary manslaughter is a felony charge that carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $7,500. If convicted, James Crumbley could face significant penalties for his alleged role in the tragic incident.
This trial is notable because both James and Jennifer Crumbley, his wife, are the first parents of a U.S. mass shooter to be charged in connection with their child’s crimes. Jennifer Crumbley previously stood trial and was found guilty on all four counts of involuntary manslaughter. Her sentencing is scheduled for April.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors have presented evidence to demonstrate that the parents knew about their son’s mental state and his interest in guns, yet failed to provide the necessary care and intervention. They argue that ordinary care could have included actions such as taking the son home from school when called in for a meeting on the day of the shooting, or securely storing the gun purchased for him.
The defense has acknowledged that the parents made poor decisions but contends that they could not have foreseen the mass shooting based on the information they had. They argue that the parents’ lack of awareness and their limited ability to handle the situation should be considered in their defense.
The trial has also seen the exclusion of certain evidence, such as the parents’ infidelity and the shooter’s alleged bird mutilation. The judge ruled in favor of the parents’ request to have certain evidence excluded to ensure a fair trial.
While separate trials for the parents will result in additional costs and impacts for victims, witnesses, and taxpayers, the judge granted their request, recognizing their legal entitlement to separate trials.
In December 2023, the Oxford High School shooter was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his actions. The sentencing hearing featured emotional testimony, and the judge determined that the severity of the crimes warranted the harshest sentence possible.
As the trial continues, the jury will ultimately decide James Crumbley’s fate and determine whether his alleged negligence contributed to the devastating loss of four young lives. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for future trials involving parents of mass shooters.