Michigan School Shooter’s Disturbing Writings Exposed before Judge, Faces Potential Life Sentence

Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Ethan Crumbley, the Michigan teenager who killed four students at Oxford High School in 2021. During the trial, prosecutors presented dark journal entries, chilling video footage, and testimony from a staff member who was wounded in the attack. The defense argues that Crumbley should eventually be released, citing his untreated mental illness and difficult family life as contributing factors to the violence.

Prosecutor Karen McDonald described Crumbley as an “offender like no other,” highlighting his previous acts of animal cruelty and his meticulous planning of the shooting. McDonald stated that Crumbley was willing to surrender and spend his life behind bars, supporting the argument for a life sentence.

One of the witnesses, Molly Darnell, who was wounded during the attack, recounted her experience. Darnell described seeing an unusual rush of students outside her office before an announcement was made to go into lockdown. She locked eyes with Crumbley, who was raising a gun toward her. Darnell was struck in the upper left arm and sought shelter by installing a portable door lock and moving a cabinet in place. She managed to send a text message to her husband, alerting him of the active shooter situation.

Relatives of the victims were visibly emotional as they watched the security camera footage of the shooting. Lt. Timothy Willis revealed that a 22-page handwritten journal was found in a bathroom stall, in which Crumbley expressed a desire to hear the screams of children as he shot them. Crumbley also recorded a video the day before the shooting, discussing various topics and stating his intention to kill.

The defense introduced passages from Crumbley’s journal to demonstrate his poor mental health and claimed that he could be rehabilitated. They plan to present testimony from an expert in child brain development and a psychologist who has spent time with Crumbley.

On the day of the shooting, Crumbley and his parents met with school staff after a teacher expressed concern about his disturbing drawings. Despite these warning signs, Crumbley was allowed to remain in school, and his backpack was not checked for weapons. His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, are separately charged with involuntary manslaughter for buying a gun for their son and neglecting his mental health needs.

Judge Kwame Rowe must consider various factors before deciding on Crumbley’s sentence. While a no-parole sentence for minors is not automatic, the severity of the crimes and the impact on the victims will play a significant role in the judge’s decision.

The trial continues, with the defense presenting its case in an attempt to argue for a lesser sentence. The outcome of this trial will not only determine Crumbley’s fate but also have broader implications for the sentencing of juvenile offenders in similar cases.

Original Story at www.ny1.com – 2023-07-27 21:58:00