Watch replay: Testimony resumes in Jennifer Crumbley involuntary manslaughter trial
Jennifer Crumbley, the first parent in America to be charged in a mass school shooting, took the witness stand Thursday afternoon, testifying about her family life, her parenting decisions, and her teenage son who carried out the deadly Oxford school shooting in 2021. Here are some excerpts from her testimony.
Crumbleys worried about threats
Jennifer Crumbley testified that after the shooting, she and her husband feared for their safety. She received threats through Facebook messenger and her work email. She expressed being scared that people would hurt them.
She also mentioned draining her son's bank account and staying at a hotel because she heard charges were coming. The Crumbleys then went to Owosso to get new cellphones. They stayed at an art studio in Detroit after being invited by a friend who owned it.
During her testimony, Crumbley expressed her fear of being charged for the crimes, not having been charged with anything before. She waited for instructions from her attorney before taking any actions.
Racing to Oxford High and learning what happened
Jennifer Crumbley testified about her actions after learning about the shooting at Oxford High School. She joined a caravan racing to the school after meeting with her son and school officials. She texted her son, expressing her concern for him.
When she arrived at the school, she discovered that the gun her husband had bought for their son was missing. She believed her son was going to harm himself, not realizing he was going to commit the school shooting.
She only learned about the fatalities later that day while sitting in a police car. Crumbley testified that she didn't anticipate anyone being injured or killed.
Mother testifies about meeting at school and drawing of gun
Jennifer Crumbley testified about a troubling drawing her son made at school, which led to a meeting with school officials. She mentioned that she and her husband had argued with their son about his failing geometry grades the night before. She expressed concern after seeing the original drawing that depicted a gun and disturbing words.
During the meeting with school counselors, Crumbley acknowledged that they expressed concerns about her son being sad and suggested that being around peers might be better for him. She also stated that she didn't insist on him staying in school and that she had never refused to take him home.
Crumbley also denied laughing at her son when he asked for help and maintained that he never told her about hearing voices or asked to see a doctor. She attributed his sadness to other factors such as his grades and his friend moving away.
A rare opportunity to spend time together at the shooting range
Crumbley testified about a trip she took with her son to the shooting range just days before the high school massacre. She mentioned that her husband prepared the gun for her, and it was a rare occasion for her to go with her son rather than her husband.
After the shooting range trip, she and her son returned home, and James Crumbley told her he put the gun away. The next day, she received a call from the school that her son was researching bullets. She said the school's phone call was not alarming, so she didn't respond.
Crumbley also discussed red flags mentioned by school officials that went unnoticed by her, such as her son falling asleep in class and acting depressed. She emphasized that she was not informed of these problems and trusted the advice of the school counselor to let her son stay in school.
