(WWJ) There could be a new twist in the case of Oxford High School mass shooter Ethan Crumbley.
The teenage killer's defense team appeared for a short status hearing Thursday in an Oakland County courtroom.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton reports Crumbley was not in the courtroom, as the judge waived his appearance.
Attorneys with the State Appellate Defender Office are asking to withdraw Crumbley's original guilty plea, saying they have new evidence to prove that then 15-year-old defendant didn't understand the ramifications of the guilty plea.
This, is in part, due to mental illness and "cognitive adaptive disfunctions caused by alcohol exposure in the womb," according to new court filings.
Appellate lawyers for the young mass shooter, now 18 years old, claim that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder could have played a role in Crumbley's development and emotional maturity.
Lawyers for the teen are hoping a new trial can explore the new evidence, and review the plea process.
In court on Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Kwame Rowe said the motion violated court rules, as it exceeded the page limit allowed by the court. Rowe said he was strongly inclined to strike down the motion because of the violation — but he won't.
"The court will prefer to rule on the substance of the motions, rather than strike them," Rowe said. "However, as indicated, this court is not allowing any supplemental briefs, amended briefs, or reply briefs. Therefore, the court will accept defendant's June filings as is, in lieu of striking them."
Crumbley pleaded guilty in 2023 to first degree murder, terrorism and other charges for the November 2021 shooting at Oxford Township's Oxford High School that left four students dead and six more students and a teacher wounded.
Crumbley was sentenced to life in prison, without a chance for parole.
Separately, Crumbley's parents were both convicted of involuntary manslaughter, after prosecutors argued that the couple ignored their son's mental health struggles, and instead bought him a 9mm handgun they failed to keep locked up.
The Oakland County Prosecutor must file a response to Crumbley's lawyers' request by November 19.