Crime Stories with Nancy Grace: Ethan Crumbley Parents Want Evidence Thrown Out in Their Involuntary Manslaughter Trials

As James and Jennifer Crumbley awaited sentencing for their conviction for involuntary manslaughter, both sought to avoid jail.

Their son Ethan Crumbley is serving life in prison for the school rampage where four were killed and seven others were injured. The gun used was given to the teen as a birthday present by his parents. James, convicted of involuntary manslaughter, asked the judge for “time served” and Jennifer asked the judge to let her serve her time on house arrest in a guest house at her attorney’s home.

Oakland County Prosecutor Marc Keast has recommended 10-to-15-year jail sentences for both Jennifer and her husband, James. While James was in jail,  damning phone conversations surfaced in which Crumbley had allegedly threatened Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald.

In a call from October 9, 2023, five months before the trial, Crumbley says, “Yeah, Karen McDonald, you’re going down. … Go ahead, record this call. Send it to Karen McDonald. Tell her how James Crumbley is going to f—— take her down.”

In a call on December 23, 2023, Crumbley says “There will be retribution, believe me.”  The threats were bad enough that Crumbley’s jail communication privileges were revoked during his trial.  Neither received the sentence they asked for.

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

Jarrett Ferentino – Homicide Prosecutor in Pennsylvania and Host of, “True Crime Boss” Podcast; Facebook & Instagram: Jarrett Ferentino
Dr. Shari Schwartz – Forensic Psychologist (Specializing in Capital Mitigation and Victim Advocacy); Author: “Criminal Behavior” and “Where Law and Psychology Intersect: Issues in Legal Psychology;” X: @TrialDoc”
Kendall Crowns
Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth) and Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School
Lauren Conlin – Investigative Journalist, Host of The Outlier Podcast, and also Host of “Corruption: What Happened to Grant Solomon; X- @Conlin_Lauren/ Instagram- @LaurenEmilyConlin/YouTube- @LaurenConlin4

Additional Guest

  • Tom Smith – Former NYPD Detective, Co-Host of the “GOLD SHIELDS” Podcast; FB & Instagram: @thegoldshieldshow

“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.

[Feature Photo: Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, appear in court for a preliminary examination earlier this month. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)]

You May Also Like

‘I have a heinous crime’: Man asked 911 to call the ‘whole thing off’ after killing his ‘arguing’ mother, saying she was actually alive in her pottery studio, police say

Background: News footage of the home of Susan Morse (KSAZ). Inset: Aaron…

Non-Custodial Dad Abducts 3-Year-Old Girl at Visitation

Police in Washington, D.C., are looking for a 3-year-old girl believed to…

‘Modicum of process is mandated by the Constitution’: Judge blocks summary deportations, reminds Trump admin ‘all nine’ Supreme Court justices ruled against the government

Donald Trump leaving the West Wing of the White House, Monday, April…

Attorney Appeals Decision Rejecting Site Plan for 28-Unit Affordable Housing Complex in Bunnell, Citing Arbitrariness

The Phoenix Crossings apartment complex proposed for Bunnell is designed by Flagler…