NOVI (WWJ) Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of the Oxford High School shooting suspect, have both pleaded not guilty to all four counts of manslaughter each.
They are being held on a $500,000 bond each over the prosecution's fear they could be a flight risk.
Both appeared emotional during a Zoom arraignment via video Saturday morning. Judge Julie Nicholson presided over the arraignment at a district court in Novi. SEE ARRAIGNMENT HERE.
If a bond is posted, they would both have to wear a GPS tether. They would only be allowed to go to work, medical appointments, court dates, and attorney meetings. They are also ordered to turn over all weapons upon release from jail if they are able to make bond.
"It's…clear from the facts that he (the son) had total access to the gun, and it was for him," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said.
Upon her words, James Crumbley hung his head and shook it "no."
"On this very tragic day, on the 30th, they were called to the school about their son's drawing which clearly depicted threats and acts of violence," McDonald said, "And instead of disclosing to the school that he had full access to this weapon, they chose not to. They chose not to take their son home. They chose not to tell anybody, not to tell people he was dangerous when they had every likelihood he was. And, instead, they left…."
"Your honor, this is a very serious, horrible, terrible murder and shooting, and it has affected the entire community," McDonald said.
"And these two individuals could have stopped it, and they had every reason to know he was dangerous, and they gave him a weapon, and they didn't secure it and allowed him full access to it."
Defense Attorneys, Mariell Lehman and Shannon Smith, argued that the case "did not warrant a $500,000 bond. "
Smith, attorney for Jennifer Crumbley, said the gun was locked.
"When the prosecution is stating that this child had free access to a gun, that is just absolutely not true, and we need an opportunity to fight this case in court and not in the court of public opinion," Smith said.
Lehman and Smith asked for a bond of $50,000, or at maximum, $100,000.
Jennifer Crumbley, 43, was the director of marketing at a "large company," according to Smith. She has a previous drunk driving conviction from her college years.
James Crumbley, 45, is "gainfully employed" and has a prior criminal history of minor offenses from decades ago, according to Lehman.
"Our clients are just as devastated by this case as everyone else," Smith said. "Bond has to come from a case of legal soundness, not emotional reaction, which has driven this entire case."
Lehman, representing James, said the "facts of this case have been cherrypicked by Ms. McDonald, to make an example of Mrs. and Mr. Crumbley, which she very freely said she was doing during her press conference yesterday."
"Our clients were never a flight risk," Lehman said.
Smith said she was in contact with them throughout the day on Friday, and they never intended to flee prosecution.
"They were scared. They were terrified. They were not at home. They did not know what to do," Smith said.
She said the reason they were not arraigned on Friday was due to a breakdown of communication between the prosecutor and the defense's office.
"Nobody needs permission to turn themselves in," McDonald said. "...And to suggest that somebody is somehow using this incident to create press, there's a lot of attention here because four children were murdered. And seven others were injured. And that is on the mind of every single person in this country."
Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Justin Shilling, 17, died when the suspected shooter opened fire at Oxford High School on Tuesday, November 30. Six other students and one teacher were injured.
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