ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) — The teenager charged in the deadly mass shooting at Oxford High School will remain in the Oakland County Jail, a judge has ruled.
Defense attorneys for Ethan Crumbley had asked that the 15-year-old, who is charged as an adult, be moved to Oakland County Children's Village, a juvenile detention facility, rather than than stay in the adult jail.
A 12-page order by Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwame Rowe came down on the issue on Tuesday.
Crumbley is charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, terrorism and gun charges in the Nov. 30, 2021, massacre in which four students were killed, and six more students and a teacher were wounded.
Crumbley's lawyer had argued that having the teen in isolation at the adult jail wasn't good for someone with mental health issues, and that he needs to have access to high school classes. Prosecutors argued that Crumbley should remain in jail as he could be a threat to his peers, and that he's been provided with a tablet loaded with educational programing.
WWJ Legal Analysts Charlie Langton explained that the housing issue must be revisited every 30 days.
"A minor must be given a hearing and present witnesses as to whether or not he should remain the jail before the trail, or in the Children's Village before trial," Langton said.
"Now last week the judge held a hearing and he heard from a number of witnesses. The argument by the prosecutor to keep him in the Oakland County Jail at this time is that, frankly, it's more secure and second of all it's a very serious crime. But the argument against that, made by the defense attorney, is that he can get all the services that he needs in Children's Village, and he is still a minor."
The judge decided that the proposed transfer would be a burden for the understaffed Children's Village, and would be too risky for others housed in the facility.
Meanwhile, Langton noted: "I think that Ethan Crumbley has a lot more problems than where he is to stay before the trial. Obviously, if he is convicted of four counts of first degree murder plus terrorism and a whole host of other charges, he's gonna be in a jail, in a prison, for a very long time."
The next hearing on the matter set for March 24.
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