Charlotte Attorney Warns Parents To Pay Attention To Mom Of Mass Shooter Verdict

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A landmark trial ends with the first parent ever to be held criminally responsible for a mass shooting committed by their child. After two days of deliberations, a Michigan jury found Jennifer Crumbley guilty of four counts of manslaughter. Her son pleaded guilty to gunning down four schoolmates in 2021. She now faces up to 15 years in prison for each count. One juror says her decision hinged on who was the last adult to handle the murder weapon. The jury forewoman said, “The thing that really hammered it home was that she was the last adult with the gun…lives hung in the balance and we took that very seriously.”

WCCB News @ Ten talked with a Charlotte attorney about whether Tuesday’s verdict sets a precedent for parents. Donald Clack with The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin tells WCCB News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty, “(Tuesday’s) decision really puts parents on notice that you can now be held liable for your children’s actions if and when unfortunate things do happen.” Clack added, “Remain cognizant of where your weapons are, who has access to them, and how they have access to those weapons.”

Jennifer Crumbley is set to be sentenced on April 9. The trial for her husband, James Crumbley, is expected to start next month.