The parents of a mass shooter at the Oxford High School shooting in U.S. state of Michigan were sentenced on Tuesday to 10 to 15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter during a sentencing hearing in a Michigan courtroom, reported Xinhua.
This is the first time in the United States that parents have been charged and convicted in their child's mass shooting at a school.
Ethan Crumbley, then 15 years old, opened fire inside his school, the Oxford High School, on Nov. 30, 2021, killing four students and injuring 7 others. His parents were arrested after days of chase by the police.
Separate juries in Oakland County convicted Jennifer and James Crumbley in February and March, respectively, of four counts of involuntary manslaughter each for deaths of four students killed by their son in November 2021. Ethan, now 17, pleaded guilty as an adult to the 2021 shooting at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit and has been sentenced to life in prison.
Before giving her sentence, Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews said the convictions were not about poor parenting, but confirmed the repeated actions or lack of actions by the Crumbleys, local media reported.
The sentencing grids gave guidelines for what sentences the Crumbleys can receive. And the guidelines take into account a defendant's prior criminal record and specific issues related to the offense.
Prosecutors argued that Jennifer and James were grossly negligent in the 2021 shooting, ignoring warning signs about their son's declining mental health, not telling school officials the family owned guns when they met with school officials the morning of the shooting to discuss a disturbing drawing Ethan had drawn on desk.
Prosecutors also argued the Crumbleys bear responsibility for the shooting because they did not secure the family's guns.
Prosecutors called for 10 to 15 years in prison, highlighting the couple's lack of remorse.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
It’s truly devastating to see parents facing such serious consequences for the actions of their child. This case sets a precedent that holds parents accountable for their children’s actions in a whole new way. The tragedy that unfolded at Oxford High School is a stark reminder of the importance of recognizing warning signs and taking action before it’s too late.
It’s a tragic situation, but it’s important that parents are held accountable for their role in their child’s actions. This case sets a precedent that parents cannot turn a blind eye to warning signs of potential violence.
It’s concerning to see parents being held accountable for their child’s actions, but in this case, it was absolutely necessary. The negligence shown by the Crumbleys cannot be excused, and justice needed to be served for the lives lost that day.
It is truly heartbreaking to see parents facing such severe consequences for their child’s actions. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and addressing warning signs early on to prevent tragedies like this from happening. My thoughts are with all those affected by this heartbreaking event.
It’s a tragic situation where accountability must be held. The parents’ negligence in ignoring warning signs is unacceptable. The sentencing of 10 to 15 years is justified for their involuntary manslaughter in their child’s mass shooting.
It’s heartbreaking to see parents being held accountable for their child’s horrific actions. However, in cases of such grave negligence, justice must be served to prevent future tragedies. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
Do you think the sentencing of 10 to 15 years for the parents in this tragic case is appropriate or should it have been longer?
I believe that the sentencing of 10 to 15 years for the parents in this tragic case is a step towards accountability and justice. While a longer sentence may seem fitting to some, it’s important to consider the complexities of the legal system and the specific circumstances of the case. Let’s trust the judicial process in ensuring that justice is served.
It’s truly heartbreaking to see parents being held accountable for the actions of their child. However, in cases as tragic as this school shooting, where lives were lost due to negligence, justice must be served. My thoughts go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time.
It is crucial that parents take responsibility for their child’s actions, especially in tragic events like school shootings. The sentencing of Ethan Crumbley’s parents serves as a warning to other parents about the consequences of negligence in raising their children.
Do you think the sentencing of the parents in this case will set a precedent for future similar instances?
It’s possible that the sentencing of the parents in this case could indeed set a precedent for future similar instances. It sends a strong message about accountability and responsibility for parents in such tragic situations.