In a historic case, both parents of a mass school shooter were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and given 10 to 15 years in prison.
Jennifer and James Crumbley were sentenced in a Michigan courtroom on Tuesday after their son, Ethan, went on a deadly rampage at Oxford High School in Michigan on November 30, 2021.
Ethan is currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of classmates: Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. The victim’s families spoke at the trial and connected the parents to their son’s devastating actions.
“You caused all of this,” said Madisyn Baldwin’s mother as she broke down on the stand. “You failed as parents. The punishment that you face will never be enough.”
“Mrs. Crumbley, you promoted the use and possession of these weapons,” Matthews added.
CNN’s Jean Casarez discussed the significance of the groundbreaking verdict, noting, “This is the first time in this country that the parents of a school shooter have not only been charged and convicted of homicide, but have also been sentenced, despite not pulling the trigger. The prosecution argued before the judge for sentencing, emphasizing the ongoing negligence that could have changed the outcome, and the parents did nothing about it.”
Casarez also explained that the judge gave the parents the maximum sentence sought by the prosecution and mentioned the significant need for stronger deterrence in society, which heavily influenced her decision and kept her up at night.
Watch the clip above via CNN.
