Hulu To Release ‘Sins of the Parents The Crumbley Trials’
Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting. Earlier this month, they were both sentenced to at least 10 years in prison. On November 30, 2021, Jennifer and James’ son, Ethan Crumbley killed four students, wounded six others, and a teacher at Oxford High School.
Days following the sentencing of Jennifer and James, the trailer for Sins of the Parents: The Crumbley Trials was released. ABC News Studios produced the documentary, and it will premiere on April 18 on Hulu.
What will viewers see?
The documentary will explore the trials of the two Crumbley parents, who were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors presented evidence of an unsecured gun at home and a nonchalant approach toward the teen’s mental health.
In the documentary trailer, you’ll see interviews with the attorney representing the Oxford shooting victims’ families, Ven Johnson, and prosecuting attorney Karen McDonald. It also gives a closer look at the prosecution’s plans for trials.
More background
The Crumbleys were accused of not securing the newly purchased gun at home and not acting on the signs of their son’s breaking mental health, especially when confronted with a chilling classroom drawing earlier that same day. The couple had separate trials in Oakland County court. Jurors saw the teen’s violent drawing on his school assignment and heard testimony about the crucial hours before the attack.
Ethan Crumbley sketched images of a gun, a bullet, and a wounded man on a math paper, with the phrases “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me. Blood everywhere. My life is useless.”
According to reports, Ethan had told a counselor he was sad and that his grandmother had died, and that his only friend suddenly had moved away. But Ethan said that the drawings only reflected his interest in creating video games.
Reports also said that his parents were called to a meeting at school that lasted less than 15 minutes. They did not mention that the image of the gun that Ethan sketched resembled one James Crumbley had purchased just four days earlier.
There was also no mention of Ethan and his mother, Jennifer, firing 50 rounds at a shooting range and taking 50 more home. Jennifer Crumbley described the gun on social media as an early Christmas gift, according to the reports.
School staff did not demand that the teen go home during the meeting but were surprised when the Crumbleys did not volunteer it. Instead, the parents left with a list of mental health providers and they said that they were returning to work.
Unfortunately, later that day, Ethan pulled a handgun from his backpack and began shooting. He is now serving a life sentence for murder and other crimes.
Watch the “Sins of the Parents: The Crumbley Trials” trailer below.
