Michigan School Shooter Ethan Crumbley’s Parents Receive 10-15 Years in Prison

James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of Michigan high school shooter Ethan Crumbley, have been sentenced to 10-15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.

The Details: James and Jennifer Crumbley were each convicted on four counts of involuntary manslaughter in relation to the mass shooting perpetrated by their son. This verdict opened a historic precedent, as the Crumbley became the first parents in the U.S. to be charged and found guilty for their child's mass shooting act.

For Context: The shooting happened in November 2021, at Oxford High School in Michigan. Earlier in the day, Ethan's parents were called to discuss a drawing displaying a shooting — captioned “the thoughts won’t stop, help me” — found in their son’s desk. The parents agreed to organize mental health counseling for their son, but did not take him home. Later that day, Ethan Crumbley opened fire, killing four students. Prosecutors asserted that the parents were aware of Ethan's mental health challenges, overlooked warning signs, and purchased the gun used in the attack as a gift for him.

How the Media Covered It: Sources on the left like People (Lean Left bias) emphasized the testimonies during the hearing. Fox News (Right bias) pointed out how unprecedented and impactful this judgment could be for the justice system. Andy McCarthy, a Fox News contributor, expressed concerns about extending criminal law to people who did not directly commit the crimes. Forbes (Center bias) focused on the details of the trial and the history behind the trailblazing case. This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.