OXFORD TWP. (WWJ) -- Ethan Crumbley has pleaded guilty to all 24 charges against him — including first-degree murder, attempted murder and terrorism — in the November 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School.
Crumbley, 16, appeared in Oakland County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. Monday for a pre-trial hearing. Just before 9 a.m., he took the stand and affirmed that he had been provided counsel, was satisfied with the advice of his counsel, and did not need more time to consider his decision.
All of the charges were read aloud, in their entirety.
"Is it true that on November 30, 2021, when you committed the crimes of first-degree, premeditated murder, in Oxford... that you acted knowingly, willfully and deliberately..?"
"Is it true that you knew, or had reason to know, that your choices... in committing these crimes would cause a substantial likelihood of death or serious injury?"
"Is is true when you committed these crimes, you intended to put students and teachers in fear, and you intended to cause panic among the Oxford High School community?"
"Is it true that your actions... caused the deaths of Madyson Baldwin, Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana and Justin Shilling?"
To each of these most severe charges, Crumbley replied, "Yes."
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The attempted murder charges followed, along with the felony firearms charges related to the 9mm handgun Crumbley used in the shooting.
"The people are satisfied," the prosecutor stated when Crumbley had pled guilty to all twenty-four counts. The judge accepted the guilty plea and concluded the hearing.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reported on the hearing from the Oakland County Courthouse. "The prosecutor offered no deals, no plea bargains, but a calm Crumbley seemed to show no remorse," he observed.
Crumbley's defense attorney Paulette Michel Loftin disagreed, telling Langton that her client's cool demeanor was a response to being a teenager in a frightening, public hearing -- not a sign that he lacked remorse.
Langton and Loftin also touched on the potential life sentence the shooter, who was 15 years old at the time of the massacre, is facing.
"That's a decision that the court will have to make," Loftin said. "Obviously I've gotten to know Mr. Crumbley, and I think, through the Miller hearing, the court will, and the public will as well. And that's a decision the judge will have to make."
A Miller hearing is a separate sentencing hearing for juvenile offenders to determine whether Crumbley should serve a life sentence, or whether mitigating factors allow for a less severe penalty. Should that be the case, Crumbley must serve a minimum of 25 years in prison.
In his guitly plea, Crumbley also confirmed that he asked his father to purchase the gun, that he used his own money to buy the gun, and that the gun was not locked up.
His parents -- James and Jennifer Crumbley -- have been charged with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter. It remains to be seen how their son's guilty plea might affect their case.
In a statement, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said he hopes the teen's plea is a step forward for the victims' families.
“Nearly 11 months after a series of cowardly and unconscionable actions shattered the lives of so many families in Oxford and beyond, today – before an Oakland County Circuit Court judge – the slow walk towards accountability has finally begun," Bouchard said
"He continued: "A defendant whose utter disregard for human life has taken ownership for the despicable acts and will be held responsible for his actions. If there is a blessing, and it is a very small one, this defendant – through his guilty plea – has spared the impacted families, surviving victims, and grief-stricken community further trauma by having to re-live the events of Nov. 30 in a court trial.
"It is my hope that this twisted and evil individual serves the rest of his life in prison without parole. For the grieving families that will never have devastating voids in their life filled, I hope today’s plea moves the coping process forward."
Crumbley's Miller hearing is tentatively set for Feb. 9, 2023.
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