SUMMARY
For the first time, a parent has been convicted in a mass school shooting. Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after her son, Ethan Crumbley, killed four students and injured seven others in 2021 at Oxford High in Michigan. The gunman was sentenced to life in prison without parole. His mother faces up to 60 years in prison.
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Key terms
involuntary manslaughter = a criminal charge against individuals whose actions led to the death of another, even though harm wasn't intended
conviction = to be found guilty of a crime in a court of law
WARM UP QUESTIONS
- Who is Jennifer Crumbley?
- What crime was Crumbley convicted of committing?
- When did Crumbley's son kill four students as part of a school shooting?
- Why was the conviction against Crumbley "unprecedented" ( = has not happened before)?
- How might the precedent (= example of a court decision) set in this case be used in other cases, according to Ekow Yankah?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How do you think this precedent will impact other criminal cases? What sort of cases do you think might be brought against people for involuntary manslaughter?
Media literacy: What evidence did the jury hear that led them to this unprecedented conviction? You can read more about the case here. Where could you go to learn more about the broader legal consequences of the decision?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to find out more about?
FOR MORE
What students can do:
Read this reflection from a Michigan teacher written after the Oxford school shooting. Then discuss — what are some ways to bring justice and peace to communities affected by school shootings? Should parents be held accountable for the actions of their children?
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