Michigan school shooter addresses court

[MrDawn]

What are your thoughts?

The 17-year-old who gunned down four Michigan schoolmates two years ago, will likely die behind bars after a judge Friday sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole for unleashing a "true act of terrorism."

Oakland County Judge Kwamé Rowe imposed the maximum sentence against Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 when he opened fire Nov. 30, 2021, at Oxford High School.


Crumbley pleaded guilty to fatally shooting Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Justin Shilling, 17, and wounding seven other people.

Rowe said he spent about 36 hours reading statements from survivors and others impacted by Crumbley's crimes.

"Unfortunately this is what the defendant wanted as he wrote in his journal. He wanted to see the impact of his crime," Rowe said. "He chose not to die on that day because he wanted the notoriety. The terror that he caused in the state of Michigan and in Oxford is a true act of terrorism."

Crumbley did not appear to show any reaction when Rowe sentenced him to life.

His lawyers had asked that court to impose sentence that could have led to their client's freedom in his low-70s, more than a half-century from now.

Crumbley spoke briefly to the court and took responsibility for the murders while promising to become a better person while behind bars.

"I am a really bad person. I’ve done terrible things that no one should ever do," he said. "I’ve hurt many people and that’s what I’ve done, and I’m not denying that but that’s not who I plan to be."

Although he was convicted of first-degree murder — a crime that would automatically make an offender eligible for life without parole — Crumbley's age led to a separate hearing to determine whether that sentence would be warranted.

Rowe determined this past September that Crumbley didn’t show potential for rehabilitation and that his crimes didn’t bear “hallmarks of youth” and that he could therefore be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Under state law, the judge can also sentence him to a minimum term of 25 to 40 years in prison because he was under 18 when he committed felony murder, prosecutors said in a motion seeking life in prison.

Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley sentenced life behind bars

Crumbley was 15 when he fatally shot four Michigan schoolmates on Nov. 30, 2021.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[DrLeftover]

And then there is this:

End Juvenile Life Without Parole​

In the United States each year, children as young as 13 are sentenced to spend the rest of their lives in prison without any opportunity for release. Approximately 2,570 children are sentenced to juvenile life without parole or “JLWOP” in the United States. Despite a global consensus that children cannot be held to the same standards of responsibility as adults and recognition that children are entitled to special protection and treatment, the United States allows children to be treated and punished as adults.

End Juvenile Life Without Parole | American Civil Liberties Union

AND

Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP)​

The United States is the only country in the world that permits youth to be sentenced to life without parole. Sentencing children to die in prison is condemned by international law. For children or adults, a sentence of life without parole is cruel, inhumane, and denies the individual’s humanity. For children, the sentence also defies law and research confirming that youth are different than adults and must be treated differently by our legal system. Yet, thousands of young people have been sentenced to die in prison across the country.​

Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP) | Juvenile Law Center

The U. S. is the only country that sentences youth to die in prison. We work nationally to abolish life without parole sentences for youth.

jlc.org

I wonder how the families that buried their children because of this arsewipes act feel about it?

 

[passenger]

How could anyone EVER trust a person like that to live in their community, city, state, or home?

 

[riseabovethis]

After watching his speech, if he wrote it himself, I would think he might be rehabilitated. Here in Canada he probably would qualify for early parole though the conditions would be wickedly long. The first being he would have to live where they told him to.

​

 

[Crys]

His ass should stay there. He knew what he was doing and he did it. Others lost their lives because of his actions. I think his words are shit just like him.

 

[DrLeftover]

And now his parents will also be in court, although on lessor charges.