Latest news with #JamesCrumbley
CBS News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announces bid for Michigan attorney general
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, who is known for handling the deadly Oxford High School shooting, announced on Tuesday that she will run for the Michigan Attorney General's office. McDonald said her focus is to "put Michiganders' needs first and do what it takes to protect our freedoms and keep our communities safe." "As the people's lawyer, the attorney general represents everyone across Michigan, from our children and our most vulnerable, to business owners, to seniors, every single one of us. The attorney general protects our freedoms, upholds the law and keeps our communities safe," McDonald said in a video. McDonald was first elected in 2020 and then reelected in the 2024 election. During her first term, she handled the shooting at Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021. Four people were killed and seven others, including a teacher, were injured. The shooter, Ethan Crumbley, pleaded guilty to multiple charges and was sentenced to life in prison in December 2023. He was a 15-year-old student at Oxford at the time. His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter. Each parent was found guilty and was recently sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison. In recent months, both parents filed appeals, claiming that they didn't receive a fair trial and that the prosecutor's office entered secret deals with two school officials who testified. However, an Oakland County judge denied the request for a retrial in June 2025. The case made history as the Crumbleys were the first parents to be convicted for a mass shooting committed by their children. Before she was elected prosecutor, McDonald served as a judge on the Oakland County Circuit Court, specializing in family issues such as divorce, custody, child abuse and neglect, and adoption. She also worked as an English teacher before going to law school. McDonald's sister, Kristen McDonald Rivet, was elected in 2024 to Michigan's 8th Congressional District. McDonald joins a growing list of candidates running for the seat. Former U.S. Prosecutor Mark Totten and Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced they were running as a Democrat. Meanwhile, attorney Kevin Kijewski announced his GOP bid for the seat. The seat is currently held by Dana Nessel, who is finishing her second term and is unable to run again due to term limits. Nessel did not announce if she is running for any local, state or federal elections.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Yahoo
Prosecutor: Jennifer Crumbley is a greater flight risk now more than ever
The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office is imploring the Michigan Court of Appeals to keep the mother of the Oxford High School shooter locked up, maintaining she is a greater flight risk now, more than ever. In a June 20 filing with the appeals court, the prosecution argues that Jennifer Crumbley cannot be trusted to be free, especially at this stage of the game when she has already been convicted and sentenced, and the "presumption of innocence no longer applies." Crumbley was convicted and sentenced last year to 10-15 years in prison for the deaths of four students murdered by her son in the Nov. 30, 2021, mass shooting at Oxford High School. Letting her out now, the prosecution argues, is too risky, especially given her actions in the days following the shooting. Prosecutors allege the shooter's parents fled their home and hid from authorities in a building in Detroit to avoid prosecution over their actions, and inactions. "(Crumbley) has been a flight risk from the moment she was charged," Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Joseph Shada writes in a June 20 filing with the court of appeals, alleging Crumbley "presents a greater flight risk" now, more "than ever." According to the prosecution, in the days after the shooting, Jennifer and James Crumbley, the shooter's parents, hid out in an art studio in a commercial building in Detroit, where they were discovered by police following a massive manhunt. "(The parents) liquated their assets, emptied their son's bank account, abandoned a vehicle, bought burner phones, and traveled 30 to 40 miles to hide in a commercial building in Detroit," Shada writes, adding the couple also tried to hide the license plate when they parked their car outside the building they were hiding in. According to trial testimony, a 911 tipster spotted the couple's car and called authorities. "Despite the overwhelming police presence, the mass of flashing lights, and the sound of doors being broken down, the defendants did not surrender themselves, but pretended to be asleep," Shada writes. "Their deceit was laid bare when text messages from defendants came to light showing that they suspected they had been found and were 'laying low.' " Flight risk allegations aside, the prosecution also argues that Crumbley's appeal has no merit. "A jury unanimously found that defendant was grossly negligent, and her gross negligence was a cause of the four deaths in the Oxford High School shooting. She was properly convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter," Shada writes, adding her "request for bond pending appeal should be denied." The prosecution's filing comes four days after the defense asked the court of appeals to release Crumbley on bond pending the outcome of her appeal, maintaining she is no threat to anyone, and that her appeal raises a "substantial question of law or fact." Perhaps most notably, it has argued, is that a judge has concluded that the prosecution intentionally withheld evidence from the defense during and before trial, yet let that misconduct slide in denying Crumbley a retrial. Additionally, the defense insists that the alleged fugitive story is not true, maintaining that the couple were never on the run, but only hiding out of fear due to death threats they were receiving. Perhaps more importantly, the defense says, the couple had plans to turn themselves in — with their lawyers — and the prosecutor knew this. But the prosecutor still launched a manhunt for the couple and declared them fugitives, the defense argues in court filings, despite knowing of the couple's surrender plans. In a court filing this week, Crumbley's appellate lawyer Michael Dezsi cites a text message that Crumbley's trial lawyer had sent Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald in 2021, telling her of plans "to walk the Crumbleys in to be booked and process." It was sent at 6:53 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2021. Prosecutor McDonald texted back: 'Ok, Let's talk in the morning.' " There was no such morning conversation, trial testimony shows. Instead, that following day, a SWAT team was amassed and a manhunt was launched, ending with the arrest of the Crumbleys in an art studio at about 1 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2021. "So why didn't the prosecution work with counsel to allow the Crumbleys to walk into a police station for processing?" Dezsi writes. "Seemingly, the prosecution was motivated by a desire to sensationalize the Crumbleys arrest as part and parcel of its broad ranging public relations 'smear campaign' that started in the hours following the incident.' Dezsi also urged the appeals court not to "give weight" to prior bond decisions involving Crumbley, who was denied bond at least eight times pending the outcome of her trial. Dezsi argues the standards for bond pretrial are different from on appeal. Specifically, he says, the only two legal standards that Crumbley must meet to be released on bond pending her appeal are proving she is not a danger to society, and that her appeal raises "a substantial question of law or fact." Dezsi maintains Crumbley meets both standards. "Mrs. Crumbley is not a danger to the public," Dezsi writes, adding she's also not a flight risk, despite the prosecution's assertions. And if the court has any flight risk concerns, he writes, it can address those by placing an electronic monitoring device on Crumbley. "The prosecution's main objection to Mrs. Crumbley's instant bond motion is that she is a 'flight risk.' … Nowhere in its response brief does the prosecution argue that Mrs. Crumbley poses a danger to others. Because she does not," Dezsi writes. More: Judge: Prosecutor broke the rules, but Crumbleys still not getting new trials Jennifer and James Crumbley made history last year after separate juries convicted both parents of involuntary manslaughter, concluding the couple's actions and inactions led to the deaths of four students murdered by their son: Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. Six other students and a teacher also were injured. Prosecutors argued at trial that the Crumbleys, more than anyone else, could have prevented the massacre had they done even the "smallest of things," like lock up the gun that their son snuck out of their home and used to shoot up his school, tell school officials that he had access to a gun, or brought him home from school after being notified about his troubling behavior on the morning before the shooting, when he drew a picture of a gun, a bleeding human body, and scrawled the words: "The thoughts won't stop, help me." After seeing the cryptic message during a meeting with school officials on the morning of the shootings, the Crumbleys returned to their jobs and promised to get their son help within 48 hours. Their son returned to class after school officials concluded he was no threat to himself, or others. His backpack, which contained the gun, was never searched. Two hours later, he fired his first shot. The Crumbleys maintain they had no idea their son planned to shoot up his school, never saw signs that he was mentally ill — despite prosecutors claiming otherwise — and that the gun at issue was hidden in their bedroom armoire, unloaded, with the bullets hidden in another drawer. More: Jennifer Crumbley appeals to higher court: I'm no threat. Release me on bond The shooter, who was 15 at the time of the massacre, pleaded guilty to all his crimes and is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He also is appealing. Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas:@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Prosecution fights to keep Oxford school shooter's mom locked up
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Yahoo
Prosecutor: Jennifer Crumbley is a greater flight risk now more than ever
The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office is imploring the Michigan Court of Appeals to keep the mother of the Oxford High School shooter locked up, maintaining she is a greater flight risk now, more than ever. In a June 20 filing with the appeals court, the prosecution argues that Jennifer Crumbley cannot be trusted to be free, especially at this stage of the game when she has already been convicted and sentenced, and the "presumption of innocence no longer applies." Crumbley was convicted and sentenced last year to 10-15 years in prison for the deaths of four students murdered by her son in the Nov. 30, 2021, mass shooting at Oxford High School. Letting her out now, the prosecution argues, is too risky, especially given her actions in the days following the shooting. Prosecutors allege the shooter's parents fled their home and hid from authorities in a building in Detroit to avoid prosecution over their actions, and inactions. "(Crumbley) has been a flight risk from the moment she was charged," Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Joseph Shada writes in a June 20 filing with the court of appeals, alleging Crumbley "presents a greater flight risk" now, more "than ever." According to the prosecution, in the days after the shooting, Jennifer and James Crumbley, the shooter's parents, hid out in an art studio in a commercial building in Detroit, where they were discovered by police following a massive manhunt. "(The parents) liquated their assets, emptied their son's bank account, abandoned a vehicle, bought burner phones, and traveled 30 to 40 miles to hide in a commercial building in Detroit," Shada writes, adding the couple also tried to hide the license plate when they parked their car outside the building they were hiding in. According to trial testimony, a 911 tipster spotted the couple's car and called authorities. "Despite the overwhelming police presence, the mass of flashing lights, and the sound of doors being broken down, the defendants did not surrender themselves, but pretended to be asleep," Shada writes. "Their deceit was laid bare when text messages from defendants came to light showing that they suspected they had been found and were 'laying low.' " Flight risk allegations aside, the prosecution also argues that Crumbley's appeal has no merit. "A jury unanimously found that defendant was grossly negligent, and her gross negligence was a cause of the four deaths in the Oxford High School shooting. She was properly convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter," Shada writes, adding her "request for bond pending appeal should be denied." The prosecution's filing comes four days after the defense asked the court of appeals to release Crumbley on bond pending the outcome of her appeal, maintaining she is no threat to anyone, and that her appeal raises a "substantial question of law or fact." Perhaps most notably, it has argued, is that a judge has concluded that the prosecution intentionally withheld evidence from the defense during and before trial, yet let that misconduct slide in denying Crumbley a retrial. Additionally, the defense insists that the alleged fugitive story is not true, maintaining that the couple were never on the run, but only hiding out of fear due to death threats they were receiving. Perhaps more importantly, the defense says, the couple had plans to turn themselves in — with their lawyers — and the prosecutor knew this. But the prosecutor still launched a manhunt for the couple and declared them fugitives, the defense argues in court filings, despite knowing of the couple's surrender plans. In a court filing this week, Crumbley's appellate lawyer Michael Dezsi cites a text message that Crumbley's trial lawyer had sent Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald in 2021, telling her of plans "to walk the Crumbleys in to be booked and process." It was sent at 6:53 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2021. Prosecutor McDonald texted back: 'Ok, Let's talk in the morning.' " There was no such morning conversation, trial testimony shows. Instead, that following day, a SWAT team was amassed and a manhunt was launched, ending with the arrest of the Crumbleys in an art studio at about 1 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2021. "So why didn't the prosecution work with counsel to allow the Crumbleys to walk into a police station for processing?" Dezsi writes. "Seemingly, the prosecution was motivated by a desire to sensationalize the Crumbleys arrest as part and parcel of its broad ranging public relations 'smear campaign' that started in the hours following the incident.' Dezsi also urged the appeals court not to "give weight" to prior bond decisions involving Crumbley, who was denied bond at least eight times pending the outcome of her trial. Dezsi argues the standards for bond pretrial are different from on appeal. Specifically, he says, the only two legal standards that Crumbley must meet to be released on bond pending her appeal are proving she is not a danger to society, and that her appeal raises "a substantial question of law or fact." Dezsi maintains Crumbley meets both standards. "Mrs. Crumbley is not a danger to the public," Dezsi writes, adding she's also not a flight risk, despite the prosecution's assertions. And if the court has any flight risk concerns, he writes, it can address those by placing an electronic monitoring device on Crumbley. "The prosecution's main objection to Mrs. Crumbley's instant bond motion is that she is a 'flight risk.' … Nowhere in its response brief does the prosecution argue that Mrs. Crumbley poses a danger to others. Because she does not," Dezsi writes. More: Judge: Prosecutor broke the rules, but Crumbleys still not getting new trials Jennifer and James Crumbley made history last year after separate juries convicted both parents of involuntary manslaughter, concluding the couple's actions and inactions led to the deaths of four students murdered by their son: Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. Six other students and a teacher also were injured. Prosecutors argued at trial that the Crumbleys, more than anyone else, could have prevented the massacre had they done even the "smallest of things," like lock up the gun that their son snuck out of their home and used to shoot up his school, tell school officials that he had access to a gun, or brought him home from school after being notified about his troubling behavior on the morning before the shooting, when he drew a picture of a gun, a bleeding human body, and scrawled the words: "The thoughts won't stop, help me." After seeing the cryptic message during a meeting with school officials on the morning of the shootings, the Crumbleys returned to their jobs and promised to get their son help within 48 hours. Their son returned to class after school officials concluded he was no threat to himself, or others. His backpack, which contained the gun, was never searched. Two hours later, he fired his first shot. The Crumbleys maintain they had no idea their son planned to shoot up his school, never saw signs that he was mentally ill — despite prosecutors claiming otherwise — and that the gun at issue was hidden in their bedroom armoire, unloaded, with the bullets hidden in another drawer. More: Jennifer Crumbley appeals to higher court: I'm no threat. Release me on bond The shooter, who was 15 at the time of the massacre, pleaded guilty to all his crimes and is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He also is appealing. Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas:@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Prosecution fights to keep Oxford school shooter's mom locked up
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley's parents denied new trials after son's gun rampage killed four
The parents of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley were denied new trials after their lawyers argued prosecutors withheld evidence vital to their defense. Last year, Jennifer and James Crumbley were convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison based on evidence they allowed their son undue access to the firearm he used to kill four students at his high school in 2021. Setting aside those convictions and restarting the trial process would be too drastic, according to Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews. 'The court would effectively be ignoring the impact of dozens of hours of testimony, postulating a basis for the jury verdict, dismissing a plethora of other evidence suggesting guilt, and impermissibly speculating about what "might have happened,"' Matthews said in remarks reported by The Associated Press. Prosecutors never argued the Crumbleys were aware Ethan planned to commit a mass shooting at Oxford High School but did say they failed to lock a gun up at home. They were also accused of buying the gun Ethan used and ignoring their son's worsening mental condition. This was exemplified when they didn't take him home the day of the shooting when school officials called them into a meeting to show them his disturbing drawings of guns, bullets and a person with bullet holes in their body. School administrator Nick Ejak and counselor Shawn Hopkins testified about that meeting, claiming that James and Jennifer were 'too busy' to take him home and went back to work. Less than two hours later, Ethan opened fire. Lawyers for the Crumbleys pointed out that Ejak and Hopkins gave earlier interviews to investigators, who promised they'd see no criminal charges related to the shooting. Neither man was ever charged. These agreements were not known to jurors and defense lawyers, who argued that prosecutors should have produced them. The defense team said if they had known, they would have more extensively cross-examined Ejak and Hopkins at trial. Prosecutor Karen McDonald's team said the deals weren't immunity agreements and didn't need to be shared. Jennifer's appellate lawyer said the fight will continue in higher courts. The parents were tried separately. 'So the prosecution intentionally cheated and violated the court rules, but they didn't cheat hard enough for the court to do anything about it,' Michael Dezsi said. Since December 2023, Ethan Crumbley has been serving a life sentence without parole for the shooting he committed on November 30, 2021. Pictured: Jennifer Crumbley is seen showing her son how to use the gun he would soon use to kill and maim his fellow classmates On the morning of the school shooting, teachers became concerned after finding alarming drawings and writings on his homework, including drawings of shooting victims around 'the thoughts won't stop... Help me' That day, Ethan went to school with a semi-automatic handgun that had been purchased for him by his parents as an early Christmas present. Images of Jennifer teaching her son how to use the weapon were shown in court. While in class, he doodled terrifying images on a math worksheet that concerned his teachers. They included a bloody body and a gun pointing at the words, 'The thoughts won't stop. Help me.' Also written on the paper were the phrases 'My life is useless,' 'The world is dead,' and 'Blood everywhere.' School officials said Crumbley talked his way out of trouble by claiming the drawings were part of plans to create a video game. After his parents were called in and declined to take him home, Crumbley stayed in school and his backpack was not checked for weapons. He later emerged from a bathroom with a pistol and began firing on fellow students. Thirteen people in total were hit. Police say Crumbley's first victim was freshman Phoebe Arthur, who was shot in the face but miraculously survived. Students Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Hana St. Juliana, 14, Tate Myre, 16, and Justin Shilling, 17, were killed in the rampage. Six students and a teacher were also wounded.
Washington Post
11-06-2025
- Washington Post
No new trials for Michigan school shooter's parents despite violation by prosecutors, judge rules
DETROIT — A judge on Wednesday denied requests for new trials by the parents of a Michigan school shooter , despite finding that prosecutors had committed a violation by failing to disclose agreements with two important witnesses. Setting aside the involuntary manslaughter convictions of James and Jennifer Crumbley and starting over would be too severe, Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews said. 'The court would effectively be ignoring the impact of dozens of hours of testimony, postulating a basis for the jury verdict, dismissing a plethora of other evidence suggesting guilt, and impermissibly speculating about what 'might have happened,' ' Matthews said. The Crumbleys are serving 10-year prison sentences. They didn't know their son had planned to commit a mass shooting at Oxford High School in 2021. But they were accused of failing to lock a gun at home and ignoring Ethan Crumbley's mental health needs. Four students were killed. The parents didn't take Ethan home on the day of the shooting when they were confronted with his macabre drawing of a gun, blood and dark messages. School administrator Nick Ejak and counselor Shawn Hopkins testified about that meeting. But unknown to jurors and defense lawyers: The men earlier had given interviews to investigators with the promise that their words would not be used against them. They were never charged. Lawyers for the Crumbleys argued that producing those agreements was a fundamental obligation of prosecutors. They said trial attorneys would have further tried to cast doubt on the credibility of Ejak and Hopkins during cross-examination. 'The lack of disclosure ... is in itself disturbing,' the judge acknowledged. Prosecutor Karen McDonald's team had argued that the deals weren't immunity agreements and didn't need to be shared. Jennifer Crumbley's appellate lawyer said the fight will continue in higher courts. 'So the prosecution intentionally cheated and violated the court rules, but they didn't cheat hard enough for the court to do anything about it,' Michael Dezsi said. Ethan Crumbley is serving a life prison sentence. Crumbley, now 19, is serving a life prison sentence. His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, are each serving 10-year sentences for involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors said they had ignored his mental health needs, bought him a gun as a gift and then failed to safely secure it.
