ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) -- Court proceedings for the parents of the teen accused of killing four students at Oxford High school, and wounding several others, will be postponed until the new year.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald and defense attorneys for James and Jennifer Crumbley both requested, and Judge Julie Nicholson agreed, to delay a preliminary hearing until Feb. 8 to give both sides more time to gather and look over evidence.
The couple appeared in jail garb and shackles during a brief court appearance on Tuesday, in 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills.
James Crumbley more than once pulled down his facemask to mouth "I love you" to his wife, whom he hadn't seen since their arrest on Dec. 4.
In requesting the delay, McDonald said there are numerous witnesses in the case, and she does not think it would be right to continue interviews with grieving families during the holidays.
Speaking on the massive amount of evidence that her team hasn't had a chance yet to examine, McDonald said: "We've received another 40 gigabytes of data consisting of additional (police) reports, recordings of witness interviews, surveillance videos and witness statements, all of which must be reviewed and tendered."
Related
"So, we do not have all of the discovery... We probably have a third of it," she added. "As you know, there are a lot of witnessed to interview and that is ongoing."
The Crumbleys are charged with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter, a 15-year felony. Their 15-year-old son, Ethan, is charged as an adult with first degree murder, terrorism and attempted murder in connection with the massacre at Oxford High School two weeks ago.
Prosecutors allege that the couple bought the murder weapon, a 9mm pistol, for their son as an early Christmas gift, and that the teen and free access to the gun.
The judge said she will hear arguments about bond for the parents on Jan. 7, at the request of defense attorneys. At this time, James and Jennifer Crumbley are each being held on a $500,000 bond.
McDonald told reporters that the Crumbleys are where they need to be. "We are going to argue vigorously that they should remain detained, based on the fact that...when the charges were issued they didn't turn themselves in and they tried to flee, and the seriousness of the crime."
Ethan Crumbley, who appeared in court on Monday, remains held without bond. Further court proceedings in his case have also been postponed until next year.
Related
Related
