Parents of Michigan School Shooting Suspect Request Lower Bond

Strategic Insights -

The parents of Ethan Crumbley, the teenager charged with killing four students at Oxford High School in Michigan, have requested a lower bond in their case. James and Jennifer Crumbley are charged with involuntary manslaughter and have been jailed since their arrest on December 4. Their defense attorney, Shannon Smith, argues that they are "devastated" by the shooting and that the charges against them are excessive.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Crumbleys are charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly making a gun accessible to their son, Ethan, and failing to remove him from school after being summoned about his writings.
  • The parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, have been jailed on $500,000 bond since their arrest on December 4.
  • Defense attorney Shannon Smith has requested that the bond be lowered to $100,000, stating that the Crumbleys would wear an electronic monitor if released from jail.
  • Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald opposes a lower bond, stating that she takes the case "very personally" and that the charges were filed in an effort to send a message to gun owners.
  • A judge is expected to consider the new bond request on January 7.
  • Ethan Crumbley, who is 15 and charged as an adult with murder and other crimes, had access to a gun before the shooting on November 30.
  • His mother, Jennifer Crumbley, sent a text message to Ethan that day, telling him "don't do it," but Smith argues that this was after the shooting had already occurred and the gun was missing from home.

Statistics:

  • $500,000: the original bond set for James and Jennifer Crumbley
  • $100,000: the requested lower bond
  • 4: the number of students killed in the shooting at Oxford High School
  • 15: the age of Ethan Crumbley, who is charged with murder and other crimes
  • $: the amount of the bail bond for the Crumbleys
  • Dec. 4: the date of the Crumbleys' arrest
  • Nov. 30: the date of the school shooting
  • Jan. 7: the expected date for the judge to consider the new bond request

Sources:

  • AP News Wire
  • Twitter: Ed White (@edwritez)