(NewsNation) — The parents of a Michigan school shooter are facing up to 15 years in prison as they await sentencing for their role in an attack that killed four students and injured seven others in 2021.
Jennifer and James Crumbley were tried separately but will be sentenced together at 9 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday. They’re the first parents convicted in a U.S. school shooting.
Prosecutors are seeking at least 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Defense attorneys are seeking less than five years for each of their clients.
Before witness statements began, attorneys argued over technicality in the state’s sentencing scoring system, with defense attorneys arguing that they don’t account for a scenario like the Crumbleys, which is unique in relation to school shootings.
Additionally, defense attorney Shannon Smith seeks to allow Jennifer Crumbley to serve her time on house arrest. Smith said she’s “not a threat to the community.” Smith said she’s even willing to put Jennifer Crumbley up in a guest house at her property, outfitted with an electronic tether.
“That’s pretty extraordinary. Most defense attorneys would tell you that’s not something they would likely offer for any of their clients facing sentencing. Somehow Jennifer has moved her defense attorney to such an extreme degree,” Mercedes Colwin, a trial attorney not involved in the case, told NewsNation.
Prosecutors argued such action would be offensive to the victims and their families.
Smith said “any gross negligence” were mistakes “that any parent could make.”
Mariell Lehman, a lawyer representing James Crumbley, said the nearly 2 1/2 years spent in jail since the couple’s arrest is enough time in custody. His wife, too, has been in jail, both unable to post a $500,000 bond before trial.
Colwin said it’s also possible a judge could impose 15 years for each manslaughter charge, resulting in a 60-year sentence. However, she believes that is unlikely and the sentences will be served concurrently.
Judge Cheryl Matthews will ultimately decide after hearing the victims’ impact statements Tuesday. Despite the verdict, trial analysts predict any appeal would likely be unsuccessful.
The Crumbleys did not know their son, Ethan Crumbley, was planning the shooting at Oxford High School. But prosecutors said the parents failed to safely store a gun and could have prevented the shooting by removing the 15-year-old from school when confronted with his dark drawing that day.
Ethan Crumbley, now 17, pleaded guilty and is serving a life prison sentence.
Prosecutors said “tragically simple actions” by both parents could have stopped the catastrophe.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Author: Kelsey Kernstine
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