In an emotional day of testimony, Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of teenage school shooter Ethan Crumbley, took the stand in her involuntary manslaughter trial. She revealed that her husband was responsible for storing the gun he had bought their son as an early Christmas gift in 2021, and she admitted to hiding the bullets after taking him to a gun range.

During the trial, Crumbley also expressed her disappointment with Oxford High School, claiming that they failed to inform her about her son's difficulties in class, including staying awake and paying attention. She revealed that if she had known about these issues, she would have taken immediate action to address them.

Crumbley's defense lawyer, Shannon Smith, emphasized the importance of communication and suggested that the school had not fully informed the parents. The defense argued that Crumbley, a caring mother, could not have anticipated the violent actions her son would later commit.

The trial, which began on January 25 in an Oakland County courtroom, has been closely watched as it represents an unusual case of a parent facing criminal responsibility in the aftermath of a school shooting. If convicted, Crumbley could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $7,500 per charge.

During her testimony, the jury was shown numerous images from Crumbley's Facebook page depicting her family spending time together over the years. Crumbley expressed her trust in her son and believed they had an open line of communication.

As the trial unfolded, prosecutors claimed that Crumbley was aware of her son's deteriorating mental health and social isolation and that he had access to a gun. They argued that she prioritized her interests, such as her horses, over her son's concerns. Assistant Oakland County prosecutor Marc Keast contended that while Crumbley may not have pulled the trigger, she bore responsibility for the tragic deaths that occurred that day.

The prosecution presented over 20 witnesses, including law enforcement and school staff, as well as text messages and video evidence, including surveillance footage of the shooting. Seeing the video led Crumbley to break down in tears.

The tragic events unfolded when James and Jennifer Crumbley purchased a 9mm Sig Sauer as a gift for their son just a day after Thanksgiving. The following week, Ethan asked his mother to take him to a gun range, the only place he was allowed to shoot. Although Crumbley felt uneasy about storing the gun, she did not feel it was her responsibility.

The school became aware of Ethan's troubling behavior when they found a note on his desk with a drawing of a gun and a plea for help. They contacted the parents for a meeting but were unsuccessful in getting Ethan sent home due to the parents' work commitments. The school indicated that if they had known about the access to the gun, they would have taken more immediate action to ensure everyone's safety.

Ethan Crumbley, who pleaded guilty to murder, terrorism, and other charges, was sentenced in December to life in prison without parole. Now, the focus remains on the trial of Jennifer Crumbley's husband, James, which is set to commence in March, where he will face the same charges of involuntary manslaughter.

As the trial progresses, more details and testimony will unfold, shedding further light on the tragedy that unfolded at Oxford High School, leaving a devastated community seeking answers and justice.