PONTIAC, Mich. – The teen accused of opening fire at Oxford High School appeared in court Monday via video for a probable cause conference.
The 15-year-old suspected shooter, Ethan Crumbley, accused of fatally shooting four fellow students and wounding seven other people, is being held at the Oakland County Jail alongside his parents James Crumbley, 45, and Jennifer Crumbley, 43.
The teen, a sophomore at the high school, is facing 24 charges in connection with the Nov. 30 mass shooting, including:
One count of terrorism causing death
Four counts of first-degree murder
Seven counts of assault with intent to murder
12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony
Ethan Crumbley was denied bond during his arraignment when a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. He appeared for a probable cause conference at on Monday, Dec. 13 in front of Judge Nancy Carniak at the 52nd District Court – Division 3. The defendant appeared virtually via video conference, remaining inside the Oakland County Jail.
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Crumbley’s defense argued Monday that he should be moved back to an Oakland County juvenile detention facility because he could hear adult inmates inside the jail. However, Judge Carniak denied the request and maintained that he should be kept in the jail with adults because of the nature of the charges. The assistant prosecutor agreed to speak with the Sheriff’s Office to make sure the juvenile inmate could not hear any adult inmates while housed at the jail.
Assistant prosecuting attorney Marc Keast also argued that the juvenile detention facility, Children’s Village, is not secure enough for an inmate such as Crumbley who is accused of premeditated violent acts against fellow juveniles. Keast repeated that video of the shooting clearly shows Crumbley committing the horrific murders inside the school.
The probable cause conference was adjourned until Jan. 7 while the defense and prosecution review evidence.
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On Tuesday, Nov. 30, police say student Ethan Crumbley opened fire at Oxford High School, fatally striking four teenage students and wounding six students and one teacher. The teen is accused of firing dozens of rounds from a 9 mm Sig Sauer SP2022 pistol that was recently purchased by his father.
The shooting only lasted minutes, according to law enforcement, who arrived on the scene quickly after receiving more than 100 calls to 911 due to the active shooter.
Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office apprehended the shooter, who reportedly surrendered to them without incident. Ethan Crumbley has been charged as an adult in the shooting and is lodged at the Oakland County Jail.
More details here: Everything we know about Oxford High School shooting — timeline, charges, evidence, more
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James and Jennifer Crumbley are each facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter and are also being housed at the Oakland County Jail. They were arraigned on Dec. 4 and were each given a bond of $500,000, no 10%. They have yet to post bond.
Officials say that Ethan, James and Jennifer Crumbley are not allowed to have any sort of contact, despite being jailed at the same facility. Ethan Crumbley was in isolation at the jail following his arraignment, so it is unlikely that he knows his parents are being held at the same facility, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
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The parents have each been charged with the following four counts in connection with the deadly shooting:
- Count 1: Involuntary manslaughter, maximum $7,500 fine and 15 years in prison for the death of 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin
- Count 2: Involuntary manslaughter, maximum $7,500 fine and 15 years in prison for the death of 16-year-old Tate Myre
- Count 3: Involuntary manslaughter, maximum $7,500 fine and 15 years in prison for the death of 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana
- Count 4: Involuntary manslaughter, maximum $7,500 fine and 15 years in prison for the death of 17-year-old Justin Shilling
Both parents are accused of giving their son a semi-automatic handgun and ignoring his cries for help, which were reportedly indicated by a violent drawing he sketched in class shortly before the shooting inside Oxford High School. The parents have plead not guilty to each of the four charges against them.
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In total, Jennifer Crumbley and James Crumbley each face a maximum prison sentence of 60 years and maximum fines of $30,000 if convicted on all four counts of involuntary manslaughter.
James and Jennifer Crumbley are set to appear for a probable cause conference at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14 in front of Judge Nicholson at the 52nd District Court – Division 3. They are believed to be appearing in court in person.
The pair are being represented by two different attorneys who work for the same firm, and will appear jointly.
The couple is believed to have fled and hid from police after charges were announced against them, failing to appear for their initial arraignment hearing on Dec. 3. They were arrested in Detroit and arraigned on Dec. 4.
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It is possible that additional charges could come against James and Jennifer Crumbley as their case is processed.
Related: Could parents of Oxford High School shooting suspect face federal charges for purchase of gun used in shooting?
Following probable cause conferences, all three defendants are scheduled to appear in court again at the end of the month for preliminary examination hearings: Ethan Crumbley’s court date is Dec. 20, and James’ and Jennifer Crumbley’s court date is Dec. 21.
Read more: Oxford High School shooting: Updates on hospitalized victim, investigation into hunt for Crumbleys
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Read more: Attorney: Oxford school staff, administrators betrayed trust by failing to prevent shooting, protect children
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