Father of Michigan school gunman convicted of manslaughter

James Crumbley, aged 47, has been found guilty of manslaughter in connection with a school shooting where his son, a Michigan school gunman, killed four students. The trial revealed that Crumbley had neglected his 15-year-old son’s mental health needs and even purchased the handgun that was used in the November 2021 attack. After deliberating for just over a day, the jury reached their verdict.

His wife, Jennifer Crumbley, faces sentencing next month after being convicted on the same charges. James Crumbley was present in court during the verdict announcement. 

This legal case is significant as it marks the first instance where parents have been held accountable for manslaughter due to their child’s involvement in a shooting in the United States. Their son, Ethan, was responsible for the deaths of Tate Myre, 16; Hana St Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; and Justin Shilling, 17, with seven others sustaining injuries. Ethan Crumbley is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.