Prosecutor: ‘Staggering’ Amount of Evidence Found in Accused School Shooter’s Parents’ Case

James (L) and Jennifer Crumbley are shown during the video arraignment of their son, Ethan Crumbley in Rochester Hills, Mich., on Dec. 1, 2021. James (L) and Jennifer Crumbley are shown during the video arraignment of their son, Ethan Crumbley in Rochester Hills, Mich., on Dec. 1, 2021. (District Court via AP)

The parents of alleged Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley appeared in court on Tuesday for a probable cause hearing in their first appearance since being charged with involuntary manslaughter.

James and Jennifer Crumbley face four counts of involuntary manslaughter as accessories to their 15-year-old son’s first-degree murder case.

Their attorneys said they plan to file a motion to reduce their bond, which was earlier set at $500,000 each. A preliminary hearing in their cases was set for Feb. 8.

“The volume of discovery in this case is staggering,” Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said Tuesday. “We anticipate being ready to present the preliminary exam in February,” she added, anticipating that between 15 and 20 witnesses may be called for the hearing.

McDonald also issued a statement to news outlets, including The Epoch Times, on Tuesday that her office is mainly focused on prosecuting the three defendants who are in custody.

“Based on the evidence we have reviewed to this point, our focus remains on the defendants in custody and their role in these unspeakable murders. We have met with school officials, and they are cooperating with the investigation and our prosecution of the defendants,” her statement said. It came after McDonald said on Dec. 6 that her office hasn’t ruled out charges against Oxford High staff.

Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Mark Keast added in court that prosecutors shared 500 pages of reports and witness statements with the Crumbleys’ defense team. But considerably more evidence still needs to be obtained, he said.

Ethan Crumbley is alleged to have opened fire on his classmates at Oxford High School in late November, killing four students and wounding seven others. He was charged with four counts of first-degree murder, terrorism, and assault with the intent to commit murder.

The teen suspect appeared in court on Monday. His probable cause hearing was delayed until January 2022.

The three family members are all being held at the Oakland County Jail, said sheriff’s officials earlier this month. However, the Crumbleys are not allowed to communicate with one another and are being kept in different facilities, officials said.

Jennifer and James Crumbley are being represented by high-profile attorney Shannon Smith, who notably represented former USA Gymnastics Coach Larry Nassar in his sexual assault case.

“Your honor, we have gone over this extensively with our office and with our clients,” Smith told the judge Tuesday, adding she doesn’t believe there would be a conflict of interest by her office in representing both parents. “At this time there is not a conflict. We have addressed a potential conflict, how that could arise. We don’t anticipate that’s going to happen.”

Ethan Crumbley, meanwhile, is being represented by a public defender.