ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) -- A judge says the parents of accused Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley must speak with independent attorneys.
Jennifer and James Crumbley are currently represented by two separate attorneys — but both lawyers are from the same law firm.
Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews on Tuesday ruled that two separate independent attorneys, assigned by the court, will meet with Jennifer and James Crumbley to talk about how they are being represented.
"Their job is not to take the place of your attorney, but they're going to talk to you about a conflict of interest, potential conflict of interest, and what would be in your best interest," the judge said. "So I would urge you to listen to them and ask them any questions that you might have."
Matthews says she wants to make sure both Crumbleys have adequate representation, but she also has other worries.
"I'm concerned at some point — today, tomorrow, next week, a month from now, four months from now, that something could happen that could cause a coflict that could damage your position, Mr. Crumbley, or your position, Mrs. Crumbley," Matthews said.
If a conflict were to occur during the trial, the judge said, it could cause a mistrial.
James and Jennifer Crumbley are charged with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter, accused of making the murder weapon available to their son, and ignoring mental health issues they knew he had.
The Crumbleys' attorneys argue that their clients had no way of knowing that their son would be a school shooter and that the gun was not easily accessible to the teen.
Four students were killed and a student and teacher were wounded in the massacre on Nov. 30, in Oakland County's Oxford Township.
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