The trial of James Crumbley — father of Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crubley — continued with an emotional second day of testimony on Friday, one day after the convicted murderer’s father had his telephone privileges suspended for allegedly making threatening statements. As the proceedings came to a close, prosecutors played footage of the heinous mass shooting that appeared to leave James Crumbley in tears.
James Crumbley is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with his son’s deadly rampage, which took place on Nov. 30, 2021. Oxford students Tate Myre, 16, Hana St. Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17, were killed when the then-15-year-old Ethan Crumbley opened fire on classmates and teachers inside of the school.
Prosecutors have argued that James Crumbley and his wife, Jennifer Crumbley, knew their son was troubled and failed to take any action to prevent the mass shooting. They had been called to the school the day of the shooting after teachers discovered disturbing and violent drawings he had made in a math workbook. The parents ultimately left the school after meeting with school officials and their son, while Ethan Crumbley stayed behind.
Jennifer Crumbley was convicted on the same charges in February. She is scheduled to be sentenced on April 9.
Footage of the shooting was shown during testimony from Oxford High School assistant principal Kristy Gibson-Marshall, who narrated the footage as played on a screen in the witness box. The administrator recounted seeing the shooter in the hallway and looking him in the eyes before he turned away from her. She then saw one of his victims on the ground and tried to resuscitate them.
“As he walked by I asked him if he was OK, what was going on,” Gibson-Marshall said. “He looked away from me, and I knew for sure he was the shooter because he would’ve talked to me if he were not.”
Courtroom footage provided by Law&Crime pans to James Crumbley — who is also able to see the video — at about 5:36:30. He appears to be crying and dabbing tears away from his eyes with a tissue.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday said that James Crumbley’s access to telephone and electronic communications had been restricted following the first day of his trial because he allegedly made threatening statements while in jail, Detroit Fox affiliate WJBK reported.
“His access to a phone or electronic messaging is now limited to communication with his lawyer,” the sheriff’s office told the station.
Authorities did not provide details about who James Crumbley is alleged to have threatened.
Ethan Crumbley, now 17, pleaded guilty in October to all 24 charges against him, including murder and terrorism. He was sentenced to a lifetime in prison without the possibility of parole.
Marisa Sarnoff contributed to this report
