Prosecutors say the gun used in the shooting was given to Ethan Crumbley as an early Christmas present by his parents.
A US judge has ruled that the parents of a 15-year-old boy accused of murdering four students at his high school in Michigan are prosecuted. manslaughter fees.
Rochester Hills District Court Judge Julie Nicholson said after Thursday’s preliminary review for Jennifer and James Crumbley she had found sufficient evidence to send their cases to circuit court.
They are accused of making the weapon used in the attack available to the youth and not intervening when he shows signs of mental distress at home and at school.
Ethan Crumbley is charged as an adult with first-degree murder, premeditated assault, “terrorism” and weapons charges in the November 30 shooting at Oxford High School, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Detroit. In addition to the four students killed, six students and a teacher were injured.
this gun used in shooting Prosecutors said it was given to Ethan Crumbley as an early Christmas present.
“The Court has found that the deaths of the four victims could have been avoided if James and Jennifer Crumpley had shown the usual care and diligence in the care of their son,” Nicholson said.
The judge said prosecutors had shown that Ethan Crumbley posed a danger to society and that “the danger is obvious to the ordinary mind”. The testimony said that Ethan Crumbley was a “troubled young man” and that his family knew about it.
“But they bought a gun he believed was his,” Nicholson added.
The Crumbleys’ lawyers stressed that the couple did not know their son might be planning an attack, making it easy to find the gun in their home.
Earlier, the boy’s counselor told the judge that on the morning of the shooting, the teenager informed his parents that their son believed their son was a threat to him and needed mental health support.
“I said as soon as possible, if possible today,” said Shawn Hopkins. preliminary examination For Jennifer and James Crumpley. But Jennifer Crumbley said, “Today it wasn’t an option because they had to go back to work.”
“I didn’t want Ethan to be home alone,” Hopkins added.
On the morning of the shooting, Ethan’s parents were called to school and confronted with a pistol and their drawings containing the words: “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me.” Authorities said the parents refused to take him home after 13 minutes of discussion.
Hopkins said at that meeting Ethan had given his parents a list of mental health support resources, and Jennifer Crumbley’s “Are we done?” he said he asked.
“I wrote Ethan permission to return to class,” Hopkins continued. “I said to him, ‘I just want you to know that I care about you. I don’t remember saying goodbye [to Ethan]”