Suspect in deadly Oxford, Michigan, school shooting expected to plead guilty, prosecutor says
CBSNov 27, 2022
Michigan Appeals Court: Parents of Mass Shooter Can Face Manslaughter Trial
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The Facts
A Michigan appeals court ruled Thursday that the parents of teenager Ethan Crumbley, who pleaded guilty to a mass shooting at Oxford High School in November 2021, can face trial for involuntary manslaughter.
The court’s written opinion said there’s sufficient evidence that Jennifer and James Crumbley could be charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter because the parents “provided him with the weapon” that killed four students. The opinion said his parents didn’t remove him from the situation at school that “led directly to the shootings.”
The Spin
Right narrative
This case will set a terrible precedent by charging people for not being able to predict the future. Crumbley’s parents might have made some bad decisions but holding them — or any parents — criminally liable for the actions of their child could take the justice system down a dark road.
Left narrative
The court was very clear that this is a unique situation, and it doesn’t expect parents to be held accountable for their child’s actions in every possible case. What these charges accomplish is setting the precedent that those who facilitate the committing of a heinous crime — be it the parents of the perpetrator or someone else — will have to face the consequences.
