Jennifer Crumbley, mom of Michigan school shooter, tries to humanize her embattled family
USA TodayJAN 2024
Mother of Mich. School Shooter Found Guilty of Manslaughter
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The Spin
Narrative A
The jury made the morally and legally correct decision to hold Jennifer Crumbley criminally responsible for her son's shooting, sending a message that parents must be diligent in monitoring their children's behavior. While Crumbley might not be a cold-blooded murderer herself, she should have been able to tell that her son was not in a secure mental state, yet she opted to buy him a gun instead of getting him the help he needed.
Narrative B
While some gun violence activists may celebrate Jennifer Crumbley's guilty verdict, the jury's decision could have a chilling effect on parents and gun ownership going forward. Even if Crumbley sets a new standard for criminal negligence related to a child's mass shooting, her conviction may set a new legal liability for parents. This could disproportionately impact lower-income families while not addressing the root causes of gun violence.