Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Top News
Top News

Mother of Michigan school shooter questioned about digital evidence and parenting

FILE - In this Feb. 8, 2022, photo, Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, a teenager accused of killing four students in a shooting at Oxford High School, appear in court in Roch

Title: Cross-Examination Reveals Details in Michigan School Shooter Trial

In the ongoing trial of the Michigan school shooter, details emerged during the cross-examination of Jennifer Crumbly, the mother of the accused. The courtroom was tense as the defense interrogated Crumbly about her actions, hobbies, and personal life. The transcript sheds light on her level of vigilance as a parent and unveils evidence found on her phone.

Crumbly, described by her attorney as a hyper-vigilant parent, admitted to being a helicopter parent and testified about spending quality family time together. However, the defense delved into her time-consuming and expensive hobby of horses, revealing that she had reportedly spent over $20,000 on them in 2021 alone. It was also highlighted that her son rarely accompanied her to the barn, as he had no interest in horses.

The defense then turned their attention to Crumbly's digital footprint, presenting evidence from her phone, like messages and photographs. It was revealed that she had engaged in an extramarital affair with a man named Brian Malosh, contrary to her testimony about their meetings being limited to a weekly encounter at a Costco parking lot. The defense also introduced the presence of the 'Adult Friend Finder' app on her phone, indicating her involvement with other individuals besides Malosh.

The defense further questioned Crumbly about her level of attention to her son's mental health concerns. They brought up instances where the teenage shooter had reached out to her, expressing seeing demons and experiencing distressing hallucinations. Crumbly acknowledged receiving these messages but claimed to have missed some due to poor reception at the barn.

Additionally, the defense explored the incident where Crumbly's son requested help from his parents and the alleged laughter that ensued. They established that the accused teenager had written about having access to the murder weapon in his journal and that the handgun was gifted to him by his parents just two days before the tragic high school attack. It was also revealed that Crumbly never sought professional help for her son's apparent depression.

Throughout the cross-examination, the defense highlighted multiple inconsistencies in Crumbly's statements and the evidence presented. However, she did not dispute most of the evidence, acknowledging the presence of messages, pictures, and the gun.

As this pivotal cross-examination proceeded, tensions escalated in the courtroom. The jury listened intently, and the defense continued to press for further details regarding Crumbly's role in the events leading up to the tragic school shooting.

The trial is ongoing, and the thorough cross-examination of Jennifer Crumbly reveals crucial details that may shape the disheartening case as it progresses.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.