FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2025 

PONTIAC, Mich. - The Oakland County Prosecution team appeared in Oakland County Circuit Court today in support of upholding the jury's verdict of involuntary manslaughter against James Crumbley for his role in the deaths of Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, and Justin Shilling.

"We prosecute for the victims," said Assistant Prosecutor Marc Keast during oral arguments before Judge Cheryl Matthews. "James Crumbley was convicted for the decisions he made. His decisions are why Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, and Justin Shilling are no longer here. It was James Crumbley's gross negligence. The evidence in this case was overwhelming."

Prosecutors argued that Crumbley received a fair trial and that the proffer agreements for two Oxford High School employees were immaterial to Crumbley's guilt and they were not required to be turned over to the defense.

Prosecutors also argued that the shooter had a Fifth Amendment privilege to not testify at his father's trial and, regardless, his testimony would only have further solidified James Crumbley's guilt, which had been established beyond a reasonable doubt by the jury after reviewing the evidence.

"Appeals are a normal part of the process and I'm confident this review will ultimately vindicate the jury's verdict," said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. "Because of James Crumbley's actions, Madisyn, Tate, Hana, and Justin aren't with us today, but they are not forgotten. We will never stop fighting for them."

Jennifer Crumbley, the shooter's mother, was also convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the Oxford High School shooting. She filed her own motion for a new trial, which the Judge heard in January. No decision has yet been made on her appeal.

###

NOTE: A timeline of the entire Oxford case is linked here for reference: Oxford Timeline 

CONTACT: OCPOmedia@oakgov.com