Michigan court ends effort to sue Oxford school staff over 2021 mass shooting
Share this @internewscast.com

DETROIT (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the appeals put forth by families of students who were killed or injured during the 2021 Oxford High School shooting, thereby halting attempts to hold school staff partially accountable for the incident.

According to Michigan law, overcoming the barrier of immunity in lawsuits against a government entity, such as public school employees, is challenging. Lawyers are generally required to demonstrate that gross negligence took place.

In a brief two-sentence order, the court declared it would not proceed with the case. This means the earlier 3-0 Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the school staff remains in effect.

“I’m shocked,” said William “Buck” Myre, whose son, Tate, was one of four students who died. “I can’t believe that a tragedy of this nature, our government can just sweep it under the rug and say, ‘Sorry for your loss.’ It was preventable.”

In September, the appeals court said there was no evidence that Oxford staff were the “proximate cause” of the tragedy, noting it was 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley who “made the definite and premeditated decision” to take a gun to school and commit the mass shooting.

On the day of the shooting, he had sketched images of a gun, a bullet and a wounded man on a math paper, accompanied by despondent phrases. His parents were quickly called to a meeting at school but declined to take him home.

No one — parents or staff — checked the boy’s backpack for a gun, though an administrator joked that it was heavy.

Crumbley, now 19, is serving a life prison sentence. His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, are each serving 10-year sentences for involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors said they had ignored his mental health needs, bought him a gun as a gift and then failed to safely secure it.

Chris Desmond, an appellate lawyer for the families, said the Legislature needs to change the high bar of governmental immunity.

“If this event, God forbid, were to happen in a private school … this case would have been resolved by now,” he said.

___

Follow Ed White at

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Mugshot of a man in a yellow shirt.

Justin Mohn Convicted of Murdering Father and Posting Disturbing Video Online

A SICK man who slashed his dad’s head with a machete and…
LA Mayor Karen Bass signs order to provide cash payments to immigrants affected by ICE raids

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Implements Order for Cash Assistance to Immigrants Impacted by ICE Raids

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has enacted an executive order aimed at…
Prosecution's 'inconsistencies' in prep school murder trial led to suspect's acquittal: jury foreman

Jury Foreman: ‘Inconsistencies’ in Prosecution’s Case Resulted in Acquittal in Prep School Murder Trial

The jury’s foreman in Raul Valle’s murder trial, who was found not…
Chicago heat wave 1995: South Loop organizers remember victims 30 years later, advocate for vulnerable Chicagoans

Remembering the 1995 Chicago Heat Wave: South Loop Group Honors Victims and Supports At-Risk Residents 30 Years On

CHICAGO (WLS) — Some warnings and procedures about extreme heat did not…
Anti-ICE Protestors Douse Themselves in Milk to Fight Off Pepper Spray at Cannabis Facility in California

Protesters Against ICE Use Milk to Counteract Pepper Spray at California Cannabis Facility

An extensive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid occurred at Glass House…
DHS arrests five illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes, including murder and child abuse

DHS captures five undocumented individuals previously found guilty of severe offenses such as murder and child abuse

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security reported the detention of five…
Michael Bell fights execution amid witness coercion claims

Lawyers for Michael Bell Submit Appeal to Halt Execution at the Supreme Court

Bell is set to be the 8th inmate on death row to…
Car crashed into a care home.

Elderly Women Lose Lives as BMW in Police Chase Crashes into Nursing Home; Two Men Detained

TWO women have died after a BMW which was being chased by…
Trump to tour Texas flood damage as the scope of the disaster tests his pledge to shutter FEMA

Trump Visits Texas to Assess Flood Damage amid Challenges to His Promise to Close FEMA

As President Donald Trump travels to Texas on Friday to witness the…
High-rise building engulfed in smoke and fire.

17-Storey Towerblock Engulfed in Flames, Sending Massive Smoke Plumes Skyward as 70 Firefighters Battle the Blaze

A WOMAN has been rushed to hospital and others treated at the…
Pennsylvania officials report intermittent failures in statewide 911 service

Pennsylvania Authorities Announce Sporadic Issues with Statewide 911 Service

Pennsylvania officials reported statewide issues Friday with the state’s 911 system.  “Pennsylvania…
'Freakier Friday': Behind-the-scenes look at Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis on set of the new Disney sequel

‘Freaky Friday’ Sequel: Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis on the Disney Set

Take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of “Freakier Friday,” the sequel to the…