April 11th 2024.
The Crumbleys, James and Jennifer, were recently sentenced for their involvement in the tragic Michigan school shooting carried out by their son, Ethan Crumbley. This was the first time that parents of a school shooter were charged and convicted for a mass shooting. The whole incident had been a shock to the nation, and it was heartbreaking to see innocent lives taken away in such a senseless act.
According to NBC News, the couple was sentenced after their 17-year-old son pleaded guilty as an adult during his trial for the 2021 shooting at Oxford High School in Detroit. Ethan was given a life sentence as a result of his actions. The Crumbleys had been found guilty in the fall of 2023. During the sentencing, Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews clarified that the judgment was not a reflection of their parenting skills. Rather, she stated that the couple had ignored warning signs that any reasonable person would have noticed.
One of the victim's mothers, Nicole Beausoleil, used her victim impact statement to express her anger towards the Crumbleys. She recalled how she had been frantically texting her daughter, Madisyn Baldwin, to call her while the Crumbleys were texting their son, Ethan, not to go through with his plans. Beausoleil also mentioned that while the Crumbleys were finding out about the lives their son had taken, she was still waiting for her daughter in the parking lot. She expressed her disappointment in the lack of compassion shown by the Crumbleys.
During the court proceedings, the Crumbleys also had the opportunity to speak. James Crumbley expressed his regret and sorrow for the victims and their families. He stated that he had no knowledge of his son's plans and wished that he had known. Jennifer, on the other hand, took offense to the prosecution's attempts to portray her as a neglectful parent. She stated that she felt deep remorse, regret, and grief for the shooting. She also tried to paint herself and her husband as average parents who loved their son and each other deeply.
The families of the victims are calling for changes to laws that prevent schools from being sued in connection to school shootings. They also want an independent review to be conducted after any mass shooting. However, Oakland County prosecutors have made it clear that they will not be charging anyone else in connection to this incident.
Beausoleil appeared on the Today Show to discuss the sentence and its impact. She stated that it sends a message to parents across the nation to listen to their children. She believes that there should be accountability for every action, and the sentence serves as a reminder of that. She also expressed her disappointment with the Crumbleys' statements in court, feeling that they were trying to shift the blame onto someone else instead of taking responsibility for their actions.
The Oakland County Prosecutor, Karen McDonald, also shared her thoughts on the matter, stating that while feeling remorse is natural, what the victims' families truly want and need is an acknowledgment of the wrongdoing and a sincere apology. Unfortunately, that did not come from the Crumbleys during their statements in court. The focus should be on the victims and their loved ones, and it is important to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
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