Sins of the Child

On November 30, 2021, when Ethan Crumbley opened fire on his classmates at Oxford High School killing four students, the reactions to this modern American phenomenon were sadly familiar. The events that unfolded in the aftermath of the Michigan shooting, however, were anything but. The teenage assailant’s parents, Jennifer and James, were thrust into the national spotlight, when, in an unprecedented turn of events, the two were charged in connection with their son’s acts of violence. Raising questions about parental responsibility, agency and what could have been done to prevent the heartbreaking tragedy, Law and Crime presents the most in-depth analysis to date – exploring these complex questions and more by taking you behind the scenes of the historic trials of Jennifer and James Crumbley in SINS OF THE CHILD. You can listen to SINS OF THE CHILD exclusively and ad-free with Wondery Plus. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rapper YNW Melly (aka Jamell Demons) has gained notoriety in the hip hop world for both his lyrics and his criminal activity. Although he has never denied his past convictions, Melly adamantly denies any involvement in the shocking murders of two of his best friends in 2018. The YNW Melly Double Murder Trial has now gone to court twice and both times have resulted in a hung jury. Law&Crime's Murder on My Mind dives into every twist and turn of this Florida death penalty case to explore the circumstances leading up to the murders of two young men, and the man accused of killing them.Binge all episodes of Murder on My Mind exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/murder-on-my-mind-ynw-melly-double-murder-trial/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The quaint Michigan township of Oxford is rocked by a devastating tragedy when a 15-year-old boy opens fire at the local high school. As the day unfolds, startling details emerge as to how he came into possession of the gun used in the shooting and red flags that were dismissed just hours before the attack. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A stormy evening in January 2022 begins as an innocent night out for drinks with friends for a local couple in Canton, Massachusetts. But by daybreak, Boston police officer John O’Keefe turns up under six feet of snow and his girlfriend, Karen Read, is immediately suspected of striking him with her SUV - leaving him for dead. As the investigation into John’s curious death unfurls, rumors of a police cover-up captivate the town of Canton and beyond. Is Karen Read being framed? This question soon begs answers from onlookers far and wide as Karen’s ten week trial is catapulted into the national spotlight.  Law and Crime presents the most in-depth analysis to date of this sensational case – exploring the divisive theories and more by taking you behind the scenes of both the trial of Karen Read and the investigation into John O'Keefe's mysterious death in KAREN.Listen to episodes of KAREN exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/karen/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Oxford High School shooter is charged with murder and terrorism. While the Oakland County Prosecutor makes her case to try him as an adult, it becomes undeniable that the shooter’s parents bear some responsibility in the senseless murders of four teenagers. In a legal landmark, involuntary manslaughter charges are announced against Jennifer and James Crumbley. But Jennifer and James are nowhere to be found. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Oxford High School shooter’s attorneys have a change of heart on their approach to fighting his twenty-four charges. Now, the defense and prosecution must make their cases for whether or not he will be eligible for a sentence of life without parole. Over the course of a four day Miller Hearing, the court hears arguments from experts with varying opinions regarding the shooter’s potential to be rehabilitated. And, victims give first-hand testimony from the day of the shooting.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At the shooter’s sentencing hearing, loved ones of the slain and victims of the violence share their impact statements. Their compelling testimony is weighed by Judge Kwame Rowe, who must decide whether the teenage assailant will serve life without parole. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Now that the Oxford High School shooter has finally been sentenced, Oakland County prosecutors shift their focus to his parents. Separate trials are ordered for James and Jennifer based on new character-witness statements submitted to the court. First to be tried, Jennifer Crumbley’s seven day trial begins. Expert testimony, witnesses, and a mountain of evidence are stacked against her in the fight to determine her culpability in the murders of four teenagers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At James Crumbley’s trial, questions arise over how safely the gun used to carry out the Oxford High School shooting was stored. And, the sympathetic characterization of James is turned on its head when recorded phone calls from jail are played for the court. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James and Jennifer Crumbley are sentenced together. But for the victims of the Oxford High School shooting, their fates are merely the beginning of their quest for answers. The school itself becomes the focus of litigation, and the civil suit has far-reaching implications. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.