The parents of accused Michigan high school shooter Ethan Crumbley have hired their own legal team and left their son with a court-appointed attorney after the two were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter after their son killed four students on Nov. 30.
Investigators argued that James and Jennifer Crumbley shared responsibility for their son's crimes as they purchased the gun their son allegedly used in the shootings. In addition, the shooting at Oxford High School occurred just three hours after they refused to take their 15-year-old out of school after administrators alerted them of disturbing drawings their son made.
Jennifer also texted her son, "You have to learn not to get caught," after a teacher caught Ethan researching ammunition on his phone a day before the shootings.
The parents have hired a legal team that includes Shannon Smith, who represented disgraced USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Ethan is being represented by public defender Paulette Michel Loftin.
One lawyer attempted to explain the parents' reason for hiring their own team, explaining their case will be harder than their child's despite the charges.
"In some ways, the parents have got a harder case than the kid," said defense lawyer Bill Swor. "They're adults, and he's a child, and the father bought the gun. The mother made the [social media] postings, and public officials...made public statements that are very prejudicial."
Ethan Crumbley has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, terrorism, and seven counts of assault with intent to commit murder. He faces life in prison if convicted.
Prosecutor Karen McDonald has also stated that school officials and a Detroit artist who may have helped the Crumbleys run from police could also face charges.
Source: The Independent
