In a landmark case, James Crumbley, 47, has been convicted of manslaughter following a jury’s decision that he neglected his son’s mental health issues and procured the firearm used in a tragic school shooting in November 2021.
The verdict arrived after slightly more than a day of deliberations.
His spouse, Jennifer Crumbley, was also convicted of the same crime and awaits her sentencing next month.
Present in the courtroom during the announcement, James Crumbley’s response was notably subdued.
The decision marks an unprecedented legal action in the United States, holding parents legally responsible for a child’s involvement in a shooting.
The Crumbleys’ son, Ethan, is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of four students: Tate Myre, 16; Hana St Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; and Justin Shilling, 17, alongside injuring seven others.
Steve St Juliana, father of Hana, told media the result was an initial step towards addressing gun violence in America, claiming the nation had failed to ensure children’s safety in schools.
Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasised said the verdict was a win for accountability, pointing out the minimal effort required from the Crumbleys to avert the tragedy. She criticised James Crumbley for his ‘blatant negligence’, especially after gifting a semi-automatic pistol to his son without ensuring it couldn’t be misused.
The prosecution also highlighted the parents’ disregard for their son’s deteriorating mental health. On the day of the attack, they chose work over their son’s wellbeing after being alerted to his alarming behaviour at school.
Upon learning of the shooting, James Crumbley, then a delivery driver, panicked over the weapon’s whereabouts, indicating a lack of precaution regarding firearm accessibility.
Defense attorney Mariell Lehman argued James Crumbley was unaware of his son’s struggles, a stance contradicted by Jennifer Crumbley’s trial testimony, where she implicated her husband.
Legal experts say the case underscores the responsibility of parents and gun owners to prevent minors’ access to firearms.
Charged shortly after the incident, the Crumbleys’ request for separate trials led to their individual prosecutions. Both are set for sentencing on April 9, facing up to 15 years in jail.
Sounds about right. Many tragedies could’ve been avoided if adults hadn’t supplied the weapons.
Many could also be avoided through parental controls on the phones and computers, so that the kids aren’t radicalised by “friends” who glow.