ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) -- A judge has denied a motion to reduce bond for the jailed parents of the teen accused of carrying out a shooting rampage at Oxford High School.
James and Jennifer Crumbley, who appeared for a hearing in Oakland County Circuit Court in Rochester Hills on Tuesday, had hoped Judge would agree to lower their bond, currently set at $500,000 apiece, so they could be released from jail while they await trial on manslaughter charges.
Judge Matthews made her decision based in part on the couple's alleged decision to elude arrest.
Basically, the judge explained, the Crumbleys are considered a flight risk.
"The series of actions by the defendants and resulting manhunt supports the prosecution's proposition that the defendants were fleeing the jurisdiction," Matthews said. "The behaviors supporting flight are insurmountable, as a primary purpose the bond is to ensure a defendant's appearance.
"The defendants' own actions leading up to their arrest make the current bond appropriate."
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Judge Matthews proposed a trial date of Oct. 24 for the Oxford Township couple.
Meanwhile, the Crumbleys' defense attorneys said they will seek a change of venue in the case.
Jennifer and James Crumbley are accused of making a gun accessible to their 15-year-old son, Ethan Crumbley, who opened fire in the hallway at the school in November of last year.
Ethan Crumbley is facing a slew of charges, including terrorism and first degree murder, for killing four classmates and injuring six other students and a teacher.
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