(PatriotWise.com) — In an unprecedented decision last Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court cleared the way for the parents of Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley to stand trial for their alleged role in the deaths of the four people murdered by their son, the Detroit Free Press reported.
James and Jennifer Crumbley are the first parents in the United States charged in a school shooting, as prosecutors look to hold them criminally liable for purchasing Ethan the gun he used in the shooting and for not telling the school about the firearm when they were called in to discuss his disturbing behavior.
The Crumbleys, who were charged with involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 shooting, have been fighting to have the case dismissed. But the state Supreme Court refused to hear their final appeal.
In its brief, single-paragraph order on Friday, the Supreme Court said it was “not persuaded that the question should be reviewed by this court.”
The only way for the Crumbleys to avoid trial is to arrange a plea deal in exchange for leniency. However, prosecutors would have to agree to any such arrangement, and a judge would have to sign off on it.
The decision of the state’s highest court comes just days after an Oakland County judge ruled that Crumbley’s son Ethan is eligible to serve a life term without parole when he faces sentencing in December.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, former AUSA Neama Rahmani said it is likely more parents of underage shooters could face criminal charges in connection to their children’s crimes now that there is more evidence to prosecute given the “changes in technology.”
The Crumbleys have maintained that the firearm they gave their son was properly stored and have argued that they had no idea that Ethan planned to carry out the shooting.
Prosecutors have accused the Crumbleys of ignoring their son’s mental illness, and rather than getting him the help he needed, they bought him a weapon.
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