Michigan high school gunman Ethan Crumbley was caught on prison bodycam “exhibiting sporadic, disturbing behavior” while awaiting sentencing next month.
He pleaded guilty to killing four of his classmates and wounding seven others in a shooting on November 30, 2021.
17-year-old Crumbley will find out if he will serve a life sentence at a court hearing scheduled for July 27.
His recent alarming behavior was highlighted in a court document Thursday and at a routine monthly hearing in the Oakland County Courthouse on Friday.
However, prosecutors expect he is competent enough to attend his upcoming hearing and sentencing.
Michigan high school gunman Ethan Crumbley was caught on prison bodycam “exhibiting sporadic, disturbing behavior” while awaiting sentencing next month
He pleaded guilty to killing four of his classmates and wounding seven others in a shooting on November 30, 2021
Crumbley pleaded guilty to a total of 24 counts in Oakland County Circuit Court, including one count of terrorism resulting in death and four counts of first-degree murder on October 24 last year.
He was also charged with seven counts of assault with intent to murder and twelve counts of possession of a firearm in connection with the commission of a crime.
The then 15-year-old teenager opened fire at Oxford High School outside Detroit with a semi-automatic pistol his father had bought him as a Christmas present days before the massacre.
Two boys, aged 17 and 16, and two girls, aged 17 and 14, were killed, while six other students and a teacher were injured.
Prosecutors did not provide details of Crumbley’s public conduct, but shared it privately with Judge Kwame Rowe and Crumbley’s attorneys.
“Recently, the defendant has begun exhibiting sporadic, disturbing behavior,” Assistant District Attorney Marc Keast said in the court filing.
“This behavior has been documented through reports and body-worn cameras by prison staff responding to various incidents. It is not readily apparent what the trigger or cause of this behavior is.”
The filing said the court had a duty to consider Crumbley’s conduct and his ability to attend future hearings. “These incidents are related to the competency of the defendant,” it said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the conduct referred to in this filing is recent and did not occur when the defendant filed his cause of action.” There is no evidence casting serious doubts as to the defendant’s competence at this time would let.”
A prosecutor described the teenager’s actions during a routine Friday morning hearing into his detention as a minor in an adult prison.
A memorial to the four victims of the Ethan Crumbley high school shooting
A parent hugs a child after the Oxford High School shooting on November 30, 2021
The teenager’s parents Jennifer Crumbley (left) and James Crumbley (right) are facing manslaughter charges over their son’s actions
Crumbley’s attorneys and the prosecutor agreed that he is well enough to attend his upcoming July 27 hearing and sentencing.
Prosecutors will argue why the teenager should be sentenced to the state’s harshest sentence, which is life in prison without parole.
While his defense attorneys will present mitigating circumstances for a multi-year prison sentence.
They declined to refer him for a forensic examination and possible treatment at Friday’s hearing.
Crumbley appeared remotely via video, speaking only to confirm his name and to say he could hear Judge Rowe.
The teenager was charged as an adult and first-degree murder carries a life sentence in Michigan.
But because of his age, Crumbley is entitled to a hearing where Rowe will hear testimony about his family life, mental health and other factors and decide if a shorter sentence would be appropriate.
Regardless, his parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, must be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
They are accused of ignoring their son’s psychological needs and making a gun available at home.