Jennifer Crumbley, first parent charged in connection with school shooting, expresses regret in emotional testimony

In an emotional and unprecedented trial, Jennifer Crumbley, the first parent in the United States to be charged in connection with her child’s involvement in a mass shooting, has testified, expressing remorse and a chilling wish. Her son, Ethan Crumbley, carried out a tragic school shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan on November 30, 2021, resulting in four students killed and several others injured.

Jennifer and her husband, James, are each facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each student killed by their son. If convicted, they could collectively face 60 years in prison. In her testimony, Jennifer revealed her deep regret, stating, “I wish he would have killed us instead” of the innocent students.

The couple allowed their 15-year-old son to purchase a handgun, a decision that has thrust them into legal proceedings. Ethan, now 17, was sentenced in December to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

During her testimony, Jennifer asserted that her husband was responsible for buying and storing guns in their home, distancing herself from any involvement. She claimed that the decision to purchase a gun was solely James’s responsibility, stating, “It was his thing. I didn’t feel comfortable putting the lock thing on it.”

Despite her discomfort, Jennifer admitted that she did not object to the gun purchase. When questioned about the gun’s storage in a locked box with the key concealed in a beer stein, she denied any connection, stating, “I have asked myself if I would have done anything differently. I wouldn’t have. I wish he would have killed us instead.”

Jennifer’s testimony sheds light on the complex dynamics within the Crumbley family and raises questions about parental responsibility in cases involving school shootings. The trial continues, delving into the events leading up to the tragic incident and the role of the parents in the aftermath.