Teen's parents face court on role in killings

PONTIAC, Michigan－A Michigan judge set bail at $500,000 each for the parents of a 15-year-old accused of murdering four fellow high school students last Tuesday with a gun the couple bought him as a Christmas gift, after authorities arrested them on Saturday following a search.

Appearing by videolink from jail for the arraignment, James and Jennifer Crumbley both pleaded not guilty to four counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald told the hearing the Crumbleys withdrew $4,000 from an ATM while authorities were searching for them and that they remained a flight risk. If convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison on each charge.

"These are not people that we can be assured will return to court on their own," McDonald said.

Authorities began searching for the couple after Oakland County prosecutors said on Friday that they would be charged with manslaughter over the campus mass shooting. Prosecutors said the Crumbleys bought the handgun for their son as a Christmas present and then ignored warning signs including on the day of the shooting.

Judge Julie Nicholson said on Saturday that she had "some concern about the flight risk" posed by the couple after they did not appear for the Friday arraignment.

Third-party investigation

A third party will investigate events at Oxford High School, the Michigan district's superintendent said on Saturday.

The Superintendent of Oxford Community Schools, Tim Throne, said he called for the outside investigation because parents have asked questions about "the school's version of events leading up to the shooting". He also elaborated on interactions with the student before the shooting.

"It's critically important to the victims, our staff and our entire community that a full and transparent accounting be made," Throne said.

The teen, Ethan Crumbley, has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, terrorism, assault with the intent to murder and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, which carry a maximum sentence of life in jail without parole.

Agencies - Xinhua