PONTIAC, MICHIGAN – The mother of convicted school shooter Ethan Crumbley, who is on trial for failing to stop her son from carrying out the attack, emotionally testified that she wished her son had killed her instead. Jennifer Crumbley faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter, to which she has pleaded not guilty, while her husband, James Crumbley, is being tried separately in March. Their trials are historic, as no parents have ever been charged or tried for their alleged role in a mass school shooting.
During the emotional testimony, Ms. Crumbley described her son’s declining mental health, stating that it was not on her radar. She also admitted that she was nervous while testifying, stating that public speaking was “probably her greatest fear.” The 45-year-old further explained the normal, family activities she shared with her son, including skiing and hosting family gatherings.
Ms. Crumbley testified that she often battled her son over missing assignments and never heard from the school about any disciplinary issues. Additionally, she talked about her affair with a fire department captain and her former job as a marketing director at a real estate acquisition company. She and her husband have not spoken since their arrest more than two years ago.
The defense has maintained that Ms. Crumbley didn’t know much about guns, and she testified that she didn’t feel comfortable being in charge of guns, leaving that role to her husband. Ms. Crumbley also discussed her son’s quietness and stress in the months leading up to the shooting.
She recounted receiving a voicemail from the school counselor, but she said the message ended on an upbeat note, leading her to believe that her son understood what he did wrong and didn’t warrant a call back. She also described the harrowing experience of receiving threats and feeling scared that someone might hurt them after the shooting.
The article in AP News Style will continue to cover her testimony and provide additional insights into the trial, shedding light on both the emotional and legal aspects of this landmark case.