Trial of Michigan School Shooter's Mother Begins

Jennifer Crumbley faces involuntary manslaughter charges as prosecutors argue she failed to act on clear signs of her son's violent intentions.

Jennifer Crumbley, mother of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley, is on trial for four counts of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors argue that despite clear signs of her son's violent intentions, her failure to act made her criminally liable for the school shooting.
Defense attorney Shannon Smith quoted Taylor Swift lyrics in her opening statement, arguing that the case is about prosecutors trying to cover problems related to the school shooting with 'a Band-Aid' — in this case, the involuntary manslaughter charges filed against Jennifer.
Prosecutors argue that Jennifer and her husband James Crumbley purchased the gun that Ethan used in the shooting as a Christmas gift for him. They allege Jennifer posted about the purchase on social media and knew something was wrong with her son prior to the shooting.
On the morning of the shooting, James and Jennifer met with school counselors to discuss a disturbing drawing Ethan had made in class that day. Instead of taking him home, prosecutors say, they left. Ethan Crumbley later took a gun from his backpack and opened fire.
Jennifer Crumbley's defense argues that she was a good mother who was in the dark about her son’s troubles until after the tragedy unfolded. They argue that she could not have anticipated or predicted her son's actions.