Trigger warning: This article contains references to mass shootings.
James and Jennifer Crumbley were pronounced guilty and faced the full extent of justice in the tragic events that happened at Oxford High School in 2012 when their son shot students. For the first time ever, parents are being held accountable for a child who has killed many people in a mass shooting.
Ignoring warning signs
According to the prosecution, Ethan’s parents ignored his escalating mental health issues and concerns.
Additionally, ignoring obvious signs from him, he was neither helped nor did they help themselves by providing him with a weapon like a semi-automatic pistol, which he used to kill four students as well as wounding others.
Calls for leniency
In an effort to get some mercy on behalf of her client over this incident that affected them profoundly, Jennifer Crumbley’s lawyer offered alternate ways, such as home confinement, other than putting her behind bars.
He said it did not make sense to imprison her, also adding that there was no need for punishment since she had already been thoroughly punished by emotional pain., according to what her attorney argued.
Similarly, James Crumbley's legal representation asserted his inability to foresee his son's intentions, pleading for understanding in the face of an unimaginable situation.
Nonetheless, prosecutors countered by disclosing sensitive jailhouse communications with ‘that man’ who turned out to be speaking profanely in these correspondences, justifying why James should have been remorseless given the evidence presented by them or any other person so far.
Systemic failures exposed
Attention may be focused on the Crumbleys, but there is criticism against the wider school system. Reports exposed missed opportunities and protocol lapses, including the decision to let Ethan go back to class after a troubling incident without properly checking his bag.
The district’s revelation led it to undertake a comprehensive audit and revamp its policies and practices to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.
The families of the victims are about to give impact statements as the trial wraps up, and these will remind us all about how many died on that day.
As well as being a reminder for the Crumbleys themselves, this verdict calls for accountability and reform within our community so that no more lives will be lost.