Opening statements are set to begin later this morning in Michigan in the trial of the father of a teenage school shooter who killed four people. James Crumbly is facing four involuntary manslaughter charges, one for each of the students his son shot and killed at Oxford High in 2021.
Last month, a jury found James' wife, Jennifer, guilty on the same charges in what was a historic trial that tested whether a parent can be convicted for a mass shooting carried out by their child.
A key piece of evidence in James Crumbly's trial is the gun his son used in the shooting. During the trial, Jennifer Crumbly testified that her husband had purchased the gun for their son just four days before the deadly incident and that he was responsible for securing it.
The case has sparked national debate and raised questions about parental responsibility in cases of school shootings. Prosecutors are expected to argue that James Crumbly's actions, including purchasing the gun for his son and failing to secure it properly, contributed to the tragic events at Oxford High.
Defense attorneys, on the other hand, are likely to argue that James Crumbly had no knowledge of his son's intentions and should not be held criminally responsible for his son's actions.
The trial is expected to be closely watched as it could set a precedent for future cases involving parents of school shooters. The outcome of this trial may have far-reaching implications for how the legal system addresses issues of gun ownership and parental accountability in cases of mass violence.
