PONTIAC, Mich. — A teenager pleaded guilty Monday to terrorism and first-degree murder in a Michigan school shooting that killed four students and put an extraordinary focus on the boy's home life and the alleged role of his parents in the tragedy.
Ethan Crumbley, 16, pleaded guilty to all 24 charges, nearly a year after the attack at Oxford High School in southeastern Michigan. In the gallery, some relatives of the victims wept as assistant prosecutor Marc Keast described the crimes.
"Yes," Crumbley replied, looking down and nodding in affirmation, when asked if he "knowingly, willfully and deliberately" chose to shoot other students.
The prosecutor's office said no deals were made ahead of Monday's plea. A first-degree murder conviction typically brings an automatic life prison sentence in Michigan, but teenagers are entitled to a hearing where their lawyer can argue for a shorter term and an opportunity for parole.
The teenager withdrew his intent to pursue an insanity defense, and repeatedly acknowledged under questioning by Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwame Rowe that he understands the potential penalties.
His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, also are jailed on separate charges. Prosecutors accuse the couple of making the gun accessible to Ethan and ignoring his need for mental health treatment. Crumbley's lawyer, Paulette Michel Loftin, said it's possible he could be called upon to testify against them.
Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time of the shootings, had no discipline issues at the school, roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Detroit, but his behavior earlier that day raised flags.
A teacher had discovered a drawing with a gun pointing at the words: "The thoughts won't stop. Help me." There was an image of a bullet with the message: "Blood everywhere."
James and Jennifer Crumbley declined to take their son home on Nov. 30 but were told to get him into counseling within 48 hours, according to investigators.
Ethan Crumbley had brought a 9mm Sig Sauer handgun and 50 rounds of ammunition to school in his backpack that day. He went into a bathroom, pulled out the weapon and then began shooting. Within minutes, deputies rushed in and he surrendered without resistance.
A day earlier, a teacher had seen Ethan Crumbley searching for ammunition on his phone. The school contacted Jennifer Crumbley, who told her son in a text message: "Lol. I'm not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught," the prosecutor's office said.
The elder Crumbleys are facing involuntary manslaughter charges. Parents have rarely been charged in school shootings, though the guns used commonly come from the home of a parent or close relative.
Prosecutors earlier this year disclosed that Ethan Crumbley had hallucinations about about demons and was fascinated by guns and Nazi propaganda.
"Put simply, they created an environment in which their son's violent tendencies flourished. They were aware their son was troubled, and then they bought him a gun," prosecutors said in a court filing.
His parents said they were unaware of their son's plan to commit a school shooting. They also dispute that the gun was easy to grab at home.
Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana and Justin Shilling were killed, while six students and a teacher were wounded. In addition to the counts of first-degree murder and terrorism causing death, Ethan Crumbley admitted guilt to seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The judge set Feb. 9 for the start of hearings to determine if he'll be sentenced to life without parole or get a shorter sentence due to his age, and a chance at release. His lawyers will be able to argue a variety of mitigating circumstances, including family life and mental health. Prosecutors didn't signal in court if they will argue for a no-parole sentence.
Loftin said the teenager is remorseful: "He's taking accountability for his actions," she said. As for the victims, she said there's nothing she could say to give them comfort.
"Obviously it is an extremely emotional day. I don't think there are any words that could make them feel any better," she said.
Detroit attorney Ven Johnson, who represents families of several of the victims in a civil suit against the Oxford school district and the Crumbley family, said Monday's plea "is one small step forward on a long path towards obtaining full justice for our clients."
"We will continue to fight until the truth is revealed about what went wrong leading up to this tragedy, and who, including Crumbley's parents and multiple Oxford Community Schools employees, could have and should have prevented it," Johnson said.
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