Last Friday the parents of the Nov. 30 Oxford High School shooter, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were in Oakland County Circuit Court. The pair were there with their attorneys to hear Oakland County Prosecutors’ argument for expert testimony when their trial takes place in January.

The Crumbleys are each being charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and gross negligence for allowing their son access to the 9 mm handgun he used to murder four students and injuring seven others, including one teacher. Four days before the Crumbleys were in court, their 16-year-old son pleaded guilty on all 24 charges brought brought against him.

For about three hours on Friday, Judge Cheryl Matthews listened to two prosecution expert witnesses explain that school shootings can be prevented. Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Williams told the judge it is a “myth” that school shooters just “snap” and that nothing can be done to prevent the shootings. He argued the Crumbleys could have prevented the shooting. The prosecution then introduced their two expert witnesses, Dr Jillian Peterson and Dr. Dewey Cornell. First Peterson then Cornell told the court school shootings are preventable if people close to the shooters pay attention to the signals. Peterson called it a “pathway to violence.”

The Crumbley’s joint defense of attorneys Mariell Lehman for James and Shannon Smith for Jennifer, argued against the “pathway to violence” position stating it is unproven science.

After hearing arguments, Judge Matthews said she would offer a written opinion on whether or not to allow the expert witnesses, within 10 days. — DR