Parents of Michigan school shooting suspect seek lower bail on their charges

The parents of the Michigan school shooting suspect, who have also been charged in the shooting that left four students dead, are requesting that their bail bond be lowered from $500,000 to $100,000 each.

According to their lawyer Shannon Smith, James and Jennifer Crumbley are “devastated” like others in the community after the shooting at Oxford High School, a lawyer said Wednesday in a court filing.

“The Crumbleys, like every parent and community member, are devastated by the school shooting,” said Smith and co-counsel Mariell Lehman in a court filing. “The last thing they expected was that a school shooting would take place, or that their son would be responsible.”

Prosecutors charged the couple with involuntary manslaughter after it was revealed that their 15-year-old son, Ethan Crumbley, took the 9 mm semi-automatic handgun he used in the mass shooting from their home. The bond was set at $500,000 each and the Crumbleys were ordered to turn in any firearms they have.

They are accused of allowing Ethan access to a gun and failing to take him out of school when summoned regarding his writing before the shooting on Nov. 30.

However, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald has said she would oppose lowering the bond.

“This is a very serious, horrible, terrible murder and shooting, and it has affected the entire community,” McDonald said at the time of their arraignment. “And these two individuals could have stopped it. They had every reason [to believe] that he was dangerous, and they gave him a [gun], and they didn’t secure it, and they allowed him free access to it.”

Smith said in the court filing that “the theory under which the prosecution has charged Mr. and Mrs. Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter is a novel and unprecedented theory.”

Prosecutors also said the couple tried to flee. However, their defense lawyer Smith said they were not planning to escape and had planned to appear the next day at a different court.

“It is clear from the media appearances by Ms. McDonald that this case is one she takes very personally, was filed out of anger and filed in an effort to send a message to gun owners,” Smith said of the charges against the parents in the court filing.

–Updated at 1:39 p.m.