A request monroe evening news for a lower bond by the parents of the Oxford High School shooting suspect was denied by an Oakland County judge Tuesday morning.
James and Jennifer Crumbley each sought to lower their bond from $500,000 to $100,000 in a filing April 12. Lawyers for the couple argued that the Crumbleys have been unfairly portrayed as bad parents by the prosecution and that the reality of their parenting has not yet been disclosed.
“No one expected that the shooter could be or would be homicidal,” the Crumbleys’ lawyers argued in the court filing. “The media contains so much histrionic and emotional information that many of the real facts of this case have been lost upon the public. The real facts … show that this case amounts to a completely devastating event where people want to find someone or something to assign responsibility to.” monroe evening news
Shannon Smith, Jennifer Crumbley’s lawyer, said they will appeal the bond decision to the Michigan Court of Appeals. The defense also expects to file 10 motions ahead of the trial, which is scheduled to begin in the fall. Smith said one of the motions could be a change of venue. monroe evening news
While explaining her decision to not lower bond during Tuesday’s court session, Judge Cheryl Matthews cited the manhunt that ensued days after the shooting. Bond is put in place to ensure the defendants’ appearance at all court trials and hearings.
“Defendants indicate they were devastated when they heard about the alleged actions of their son felt unsafe in their home, felt hounded by the press and found it necessary to leave,” Matthews said. “However, the chronology of events that occurred subsequent to the defendants leaving their home is not consistent with cooperation with law enforcement.”
