Ethan Crumbley, the convicted mass shooter from the tragic incident at Oxford High School in Michigan, has requested help from his parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, in appealing his life sentence. However, court documents reveal that his parents have denied his request. The documents show that Crumbley asked for pre-sentencing investigation reports used in the trials of his parents, which could shed light on his upbringing and mental state while growing up. His lawyers believe that this information could help his appeal process, but James and Jennifer Crumbley have objected to the release of these reports.
Both James and Jennifer Crumbley were found guilty in separate trials this year, marking the first time in the U.S. that the parents of a mass school shooter were held criminally responsible. They are currently serving 10 to 15 years in prison. Ethan Crumbley’s lawyers have argued that information about his early home life could potentially impact his appeal and his sentence. However, his parents have expressed concerns about waiving their statutory privilege and disclosing the pre-sentencing reports, leading to a legal battle over the release of this information.
In addition to the request for pre-sentencing reports, Ethan Crumbley has also asked the court to consider hearing from lay witnesses who can attest to the home environment he grew up in. This testimony could potentially help him change his guilty plea or have his sentence declared invalid. Despite concerns about harassment and exposure to danger, his lawyers are determined to present this information in the appeal process. The court has denied a request to keep the family members’ names under seal, citing public interest in the case.
Circuit Judge Kwame Rowe, who had imposed the maximum sentence on Ethan Crumbley, denied the request to keep the family members’ names confidential. Rowe sentenced Crumbley after he pleaded guilty to the shooting, which claimed the lives of four students. Crumbley apologized for his actions before sentencing. The court is now considering Ethan Crumbley’s request for access to the pre-sentencing reports and the potential inclusion of lay witnesses in his appeal process. The legal battle surrounding these requests highlights the complex nature of this tragic case and the ongoing efforts to seek justice for all involved parties.
