Parents of US school shooter sentenced to 10-15 years in prison

It is a unique sentence, unheard of in the world's history. Parents were penalised as they did not prevent their son from possessing the gun. 

In a Michigan courtroom, the parents of a teenager responsible for a deadly school shooting received sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years. 

Jennifer and James Crumbley faced charges for their role in the tragic events that unfolded at Oxford High School in November 2021, resulting in four fatalities and seven injuries.

The court gave life sentence to their son, Ethan, who was 17 at the time of the shooting. Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews delivered the sentences. He said that the sentence was not about their parenthood but about their actions, or inactions, that could have prevented the tragedy.

During the emotional hearing, relatives of the victims voiced their anger against the parents. Nicole Beausoleil, mother of one of the slain students, stated, "Not only did your son kill my daughter but you both did as well." Craig Shilling, father of another victim, echoed this sentiment, declaring, "The blood of our children is on your hands."

Steve St. Juliana, grieving father of Hana St. Juliana, said, "Her murder has destroyed a large portion of my very soul."

Before they received the sentence, the Crumbleys addressed the court and the families of the victims. Jennifer Crumbley conveyed remorse, acknowledging, "I stand today not to ask for your forgiveness as I know it may be beyond reach but to express my sincerest apologies for the pain that has been caused." 

James Crumbley expressed deep regret, stating, "I cannot express how much I wish that I had known what was going on with him or what was going to happen, because I absolutely would have done a lot of things differently."

The Crumbleys were accused of disregarding warnings about Ethan's mental health struggles. Jennifer admitted that her husband had bought Ethan the handgun used in the attack just days earlier as an early Christmas present.