Jennifer Crumbley trial to begin Thursday, son’s legal team attempts to protect evidence

After a two-day-long selection process, a jury is now set for the trial of Jennifer Crumbley. Opening statements are set to be delivered on Thursday morning.

Jennifer and her husband, James Crumbley, are each facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the mass shooting their then 15-year-old son Ethan carried out at Oxford High School in 2021. It’s viewed as a national precedent-setting case, as the first time parents of a school shooter have been criminally charged.

Prosecutors will attempt to show the couple ignored behavioral red flags, bought their son the gun he used to murder four classmates and failed to share key details with the school. Defense attorney’s will argue the parents cannot be liable for their son’s actions.

The couple were initially on track to stand trial together, but that plan changed after defense attorneys claimed there was a conflict of interest. James Crumbley’s day in court is scheduled for March.

At least 80 witnesses could testify in Mrs. Crumbley’s trial. Her incarcerated son was not named out loud when judge Cheryl Matthews read through witnesses during the jury selection process, but his name does appear on the witness list.

Ethan Crumbley is currently in the process of appealing the life-without-parole sentence he received last month. In a notice obtained by WDET, his state-appointed attorneys have informed Oakland County Circuit Court they will advise him to invoke his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent if called to testify.

The letter also requested certain documentation and communications from the convicted gunman not be used during his parents’ trials. It is unclear how the court responded to the notice.