Father of Michigan School Shooter Requests Jurors from Different County for Fair Trial

In a bid for a fair trial, James Crumbley, the father of the Michigan school shooter, is seeking jurors from a different county to decide his involuntary manslaughter case. Amid concerns of excessive publicity and the recent conviction of his wife, defense attorney Mariell Lehman argued that the Crumbleys have already been "clearly convicted in the court of public opinion." James Crumbley, 47, stands accused of charges related to making a gun accessible to his son, Ethan Crumbley, and failing to secure mental health care for him. The tragic events unfolded when 15-year-old Ethan carried out a mass shooting at Oxford High School in 2021, resulting in the deaths of four students and injuries to others. The upcoming trial in Oakland County has raised significant challenges in securing an impartial jury due to the extensive media coverage and the recent conviction of James's wife, Jennifer Crumbley. Despite these hurdles, jury selection is scheduled for March 5, with the defense team advocating for jurors from a different county. The unusual move to seek jurors from elsewhere in Michigan reflects concerns about the potential influence of preconceived notions and biases stemming from the intense scrutiny surrounding the case. Oakland County, with its population of 1.27 million people, poses a unique challenge in ensuring an unbiased jury selection process. The issue of jury selection is expected to be addressed during an upcoming hearing before Judge Cheryl Matthews, where defense objections to certain witnesses and evidence will also be considered. Prosecutors, bound by a gag order, have previously opposed efforts to relocate the trial or bring in jurors from outside the county. The legal proceedings follow Jennifer Crumbley's conviction for involuntary manslaughter on February 6, with sentencing pending. Meanwhile, Ethan Crumbley, now 17, has pleaded guilty to murder and terrorism charges, receiving a life prison sentence with no chance for parole. Despite the complexities surrounding the case, both the defense and prosecution remain committed to ensuring a fair trial that upholds the principles of justice and accountability. With jury selection looming, the court faces the formidable task of assembling an impartial jury capable of rendering a verdict based solely on the evidence presented during the trial. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the tragic school shooting, the legal proceedings serve as a critical step towards addressing accountability and seeking justice for the victims and their families.   Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com