Jail phone restricted for Michigan school shooter’s dad after he made threats, authorities say

PONTIAC, MI — A judge restricted the father of a Michigan school shooter from using a phone and tablet after he used them to make “threatening statements” from jail, authorities said Friday.

James Crumbley is on trial for involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of four students killed by his son Ethan Crumbley at Oxford High School in 2021. He is being held in the Oakland County Jail.

The sheriff’s office did not elaborate on the threats in a brief statement.

The issue came up after the jury went home Thursday. Judge Cheryl Matthews said she would sign an order approved by Crumbley’s lawyer and the prosecution.

But the judge did not mention threats as a reason. She suggested the case would be unflattering to Crumbley and urged both sides to simply agree to an injunction and avoid a public broadcast.

If the details are made public, there could be an article about it within 10 minutes, Matthews said.

Crumbley made “threatening statements” while in jail “while on the phone and in electronic messages,” the sheriff’s office said.

He can only use a phone or tablet to communicate with his lawyer or clergy, the judge’s order said.

A gag order in the case prohibits attorneys from speaking to reporters.

Meanwhile, witness statements will resume on Friday.

James Crumbley is not accused of knowing in advance that 15-year-old Ethan planned to shoot up Oxford High, but prosecutors allege his gross negligence was a factor in the tragedy.

The father failed to safely store the gun at home and ignored his son’s mental distress, Assistant Prosecutor Marc Keast told the jury Thursday.

The gunman’s mother, Jennifer Crumbley, was found guilty of the same involuntary manslaughter charge last month.

Ethan, now 17, is serving a life sentence for murder and terrorism.