In a historic ruling, James Crumbley, 47, and his wife Jennifer, 46, were each sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison on Tuesday, becoming the first parents ever convicted in connection to their child’s mass shooting at a U.S. school. The sentencing took place in a Michigan courtroom, where the couple faced the victims during an emotionally charged hearing.
The sentencing decision by Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews aligned with the prosecution’s request after the Crumbleys were found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter, corresponding to the four students killed in the tragic 2021 shooting at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit. Their son, Ethan, now 17, who carried out the shooting, had previously been sentenced to life in prison.
Judge Matthews emphasized that the convictions were not merely a judgment on the Crumbleys’ parenting skills but rather their repeated disregard for warning signs that could have prevented the tragedy. She likened their actions to ignoring an oncoming “runaway train.”
The couple, who had been held in an Oakland County jail since their arrests following the shooting, sat apart at the defense table, facing the families of the victims who had earlier advocated for the maximum sentence.
During the hearing, Nicole Beausoleil, the mother of one of the victims, expressed her anguish, recounting the heartbreaking moments during the shooting and condemning the Crumbleys’ lack of compassion. Other parents echoed similar sentiments, condemning the parents’ inaction on the day of the shooting and Jennifer Crumbley’s refusal to acknowledge any wrongdoing.
James Crumbley, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and wearing headphones, appeared impassive, while Jennifer, in a gray and white jumpsuit, expressed remorse but also deflected blame onto school officials, rejecting the portrayal of her as a neglectful mother by the prosecution.
Prosecutors had sought sentences exceeding the advisory guideline range, but Michigan law mandated that the sentences run concurrently, limiting the maximum to 15 years. Ultimately, Judge Matthews had discretion in considering various factors before delivering the sentence.
