Ethan Crumbley.Photo: Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock
Ethan Crumbley, the teenager suspected of fatally shooting four students at his Michigan high school in November, will pursue an insanity defense in his criminal trial, according to a one-paragraph notice filed in court Thursday morning.
Ethan is accused of using a gun his parents bought him for Christmas to open fire at Oxford High School on Nov. 30.
Four teenagers were killedin the attack and seven other people, including a teacher, were wounded. The four victims who died from injuries sustained in the shooting were identified as Hana St. Juliana, 14; Tate Myre, 16; Justin Shilling, 17; and Madisyn Baldwin, 17.
The 15-year-old was soon charged as an adult with one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possession of a firearm. He initially pleaded not guilty to the 24 charges.
At Ethan’s arraignment, authorities said they found two videos on his cell phone in which he talked about shooting and killing his schoolmates, CNN reported. According to the outlet, a journal found in the suspect’s backpack also detailed plans for a school shooting.
James Crumbley and Jennifer Crumbley.Oakland County Sheriff’s Office
Ethan’s parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were also arrested after the shooting and charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter.Both pleaded not guilty.
“Instead of paying attention to their son and getting him help, they bought him a gun,” they wrote, per the outlet.
The news of Ethan’s intention to plead insanity comes days after Oxford High Schoolreopened for the first timesince the November attack.
“We know it’s going to be really difficult for our students and our staff to come back, because we’re still grieving,” Oxford Principal Steve Wolf said in a video announcement Sunday. “But throughout the last several weeks, we’ve been reminded again and again of one important fact: Our community is strong, and when we stick together, we are incredibly strong.”
source: people.com
