A Teenager Pleaded Guilty Monday To Terrorism And First-Degree Murder

Associated Press

A teenager pleaded guilty Monday to terrorism and first-degree murder in a Michigan school shooting that killed four students and could be subpoenaed to testify against his parents, who are charged with involuntary manslaughter over his alleged role in the tragedy were imprisoned. Ethan Crumbley, 16, pleaded guilty to all 24 counts nearly a year after the attack on Oxford High School in southeast Michigan.

In the gallery, some families of the victims wept as Assistant District Attorney Marc Keast described the crimes. "Yes". Crumbley responded, looking down and nodding  when asked if he "knowingly, knowingly and intentionally" decided to shoot other students. Prosecutors said no agreement had been reached before Monday's guilty plea.

A first-degree murder conviction in Michigan generally carries an automatic sentence of life  in prison, but teenagers are entitled to a hearing where their attorney can argue for a shorter term and a chance of parole." No. We don't have one "There is another known case anywhere in the country where a mass shooter was convicted  on state terrorism charges," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said of the possible penalties provided her son with a gun and ignored his need for mental health treatment. Ethan Crumbley's attorney, Paulette Michel Loftin, said it was possible he could be subpoenaed to testify against him.

He said they had a no-contact policy and that he hadn't spoken to his parents. Parents have rarely been charged in school shootings, although the weapons that are commonly used  come from  a parent's or close relative's home. Jennifer Crumbley took to social media to describe the gun  as a "Christmas present" for her son. Ethan Crumbley admitted on Monday that he used his own money  to buy the gun his father bought for him on November 26, just days before his death. shoot up. He also agreed with that the gun was "unlocked" in a container or safe the morning he brought it to  school.

He was 15 at the time of the shooting and had no discipline problems at school about 30 miles  north of Detroit, but his behavior earlier that day raised suspicions. A teacher had discovered a drawing with a gun. pointing to the words: “Thoughts will not stop. Help me." There was a picture of a bullet with the caption, "Blood everywhere

Ethan Crumbley had brought a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol and 50 rounds of ammunition to school in his backpack that day. He went into the bathroom, took the gun and started shooting. Within minutes officers rushed in and he surrendered without resistance. 

The day before, a teacher had seen Ethan Crumbley searching for ammunition on his cell phone. The school contacted Jennifer Crumbley, who texted her son: "Haha. I'm not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught," prosecutors said. Sheriff Michael Bouchard told reporters Monday  Ethan Crumbley  had 18 rounds of ammunition left when he was arrested.

"I think he would have fired every single one of them if he hadn't been immediately interrupted by the officers who came in," said Bouchard, who also described Ethan Crumbley as "an evil, twisted person." I hope he gets life in prison without parole," the bailiff added. Prosecutors revealed earlier this year  that Ethan Crumbley was hallucinating about demons and was fascinated by guns and Nazi propaganda." Put simply, they created an environment in which their son's violent tendencies flourished.

They knew their son was in trouble and then  bought him a gun," prosecutors said in a court filing. His parents said they were unaware of their son's plan to commit a school shooting. Easily at home Madisyn Baldwin , Tate Myre, Hana St.Juliana and Justin Shilling were killed while six students and one teacher were injured.

In addition to first degree murder and terrorism resulting in death, Ethan Crumbley pleaded guilty to seven counts of assault with attempted murder and twelve counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. . The judge set Feb. 9 for  hearings to begin to decide whether he should be sentenced to life without parole or  a shorter sentence because of his age, with the possibility of a release. Her attorneys will be able to argue a variety of extenuating circumstances, including family life and mental health. Prosecutors did not say in court whether they will defend a sentence without parole. Loftin said the teenager is repentant: "He takes responsibility for his actions," he said.

To the victims, he said, "I don't think there are  words that can help them feel better." Meghan Gregory, whose son Keegan, was hiding in a school toilet with Justin Shilling when Shilling was fatally shot. He told reporters after the hearing that it was difficult seeing Crumbley in person for the first time. He said his son did not want to attend but asked for a link to the live stream so he could watch the hearing remotely. he struggles with the idea of ​​being in the same room,” said Gregory. "I mean, he  held him hostage  for almost six minutes."

Detroit attorney Ven Johnson, who is suing the Oxford School District and the Crumbley family on behalf of the families of several victims, said Monday's guilty plea was "a small step forward on a long road" toward full justice for our customers."

"We will continue to fight until the truth is revealed about what went wrong leading up to this tragedy and who, including Crumbley's parents and various Oxford Community School staff, could  and should have prevented it," reads the Johnson's statement. Wolf Mueller, another attorney representing the victims' families, said it was "pretty incredible to hear" and "an amazing development" that Ethan Crumbley admitted buying the gun with his own money. "It was cold-blooded what he did," said 

. Mueller, "and while his parents may have  dealt him bad cards, it's still a decision he made to wreak havoc and bring  tragedy to Oxford."