At a Michigan courtroom sentencing hearing Tuesday morning, the first parents charged and convicted in their child's school massacre addressed the victims.
James and Jennifer Crumbley appeared together for the first time since their joint hearings before their trials were divided last year. After pleading guilty as an adult to the 2021 Oxford High School massacre in suburban Detroit, their son Ethan was sentenced to life.
His parents, found guilty of four charges of involuntary manslaughter—one for each student their son killed—could face lengthy jail terms.
The pair sat apart at the defense table with counsel. Jennifer Crumbley wore a gray and white jumpsuit and headphones to assist him hear. James wore orange. He ignored his wife, who looked at him.
Oakland County prosecutors asked Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews to sentence the Crumbleys to 10 to 15 years in prison each in a sentencing document submitted last week.
Michigan prosecutors claimed felonies from the same occurrence must run simultaneously, so Matthews can only impose 15 years. Prosecutors want the parents to receive terms above the advisory guideline range, but Matthews has the last say, considering past criminal behavior and crime circumstances.
Both Crumbley lawyers seek the judge to credit them for their two years and four months in Oakland County jail in sentence submissions.
James Crumbley's counsel requested the court to sentence him to his previously served time and a maximum of 15 months in prison or supervision.
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