Michigan School Shooting Suspect To Pursue Insanity Defense

Topline

Ethan Crumbley, a 15-year-old charged with killing four students and injuring seven others during a shooting rampage at at a Michigan high school in November, will pursue a defense of insanity, according to a court notice filed by his lawyers Thursday, hours after a civil lawsuit was filed against his family and school officials.

Key Facts

Crumbley now must undergo a psychiatric evaluation, which is needed for an insanity defense under Michigan law.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald has previously said Crumbley’s mental state would not affect his ability to face charges.

Crumbley has pleaded not guilty to terrorism, first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill and firearms charges.

Tangent

Lawyers representing one of the victims of the shooting, Tate Myre, and other students who survived the attack at Oxford High School in Oxford Township, Mich., filed a lawsuit Thursday morning, alleging school officials and Crumbley’s parents were negligent prior to the attack. Two other students who survived the shooting filed a lawsuit 10 days after the attack, each asking for $100 million in damages.

Key Background

Crumbley’s parents, James and Jennifer, are facing charges of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors allege Crumbley’s parents were negligent when school officials called them to the school the morning of the shooting to discuss a violent note depicting a gun and the words, “The thoughts won’t stop help me” on his desk. His parents did not disclose he had access to a gun, and refused to take him home from school—but agreed they would enroll him in counseling within 48 hours. Later that day, Crumbley opened fire at the school, about 35 miles north of Detroit, killing Myre, Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin and Justin Shilling, and injuring seven others, including a teacher. Crumbley was taken into custody on the scene. His parents failed to turn themselves in following the charges, leading to an hours-long manhunt across Michigan. Authorities found the Crumbleys in a building in Detroit, and the duo turned themselves in the following day.

Further Reading

Michigan School Shooting Suspect Ethan Crumbley Charged With Terrorism, First-Degree Murder (Forbes)

Oxford School Shooting Suits Begin: School District Hit With Two $100 Million Lawsuits (Forbes) 

Michigan School Shooting Suspect’s Parents Plead Not Guilty To Involuntary Manslaughter Charges After Arrest (Forbes)