Lawyers representing the parents of a Michigan teenager charged in a shooting at Oxford High School that left four of his fellow students dead said Monday that they plan to call him to testify at the couple’s trial.
Defense attorney Shannon Smith told Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews that Ethan Crumbley’s testimony would be related to “extraneous matters” and not the Nov. 30 shooting.
“We need him as a witness in this trial,“ said Smith, who represents Jennifer Crumbley. “There are just certain questions we would just not be able to ask. We do understand that.”
A message seeking comment was left with a lawyer for Ethan Crumbley.
The disclosure came during a court hearing in Pontiac, where Matthews ruled against the defense’s motion for a change of venue for James and Jennifer Crumbley’s involuntary manslaughter trial, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in late October.
Matthews sided with the couple’s arguments that some evidence, such as the condition of their home, would not be admitted at trial. Matthews said she would allow the Oakland County prosecutor’s office to admit statements written in their son’s journal, his text messages to a friend, and his internet searches.
Seven others, including a teacher, also were wounded during the shooting about 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Detroit.
Ethan Crumbley faces murder and other charges. His trial is expected to start in January. His parents are accused of failing to keep the gun used in the shooting secure at home and failing to reasonably care for their son when he showed signs of mental distress. They have pleaded not guilty.
Matthews said Monday that she was wondering whether their son would be called to testify.
Prosecutor Karen McDonald asked in court if “they want to call their son to somehow diminish—highlight—his role instead of his parents.”
But Smith said calling him to testify “is not about the defendants wanting to throw their son under the bus or make him look bad.” Smith added: “This is about our clients defending the case.”
