The parents of a teenager who killed four students at Michigan's Oxford High School are seeking permission to attend his sentencing while they also face charges (đối mặt với các cáo buộc) in the attack.
Ethan Crumbley, 17, could be sentenced to life in prison on (bị kết án tù chung thân) Dec. 8. James and Jennifer Crumbley, who are charged with involuntary manslaughter (tội giết người không cố ý- ngộ sát), have had no contact with their son for nearly two years, though all three are being held at a suburban Detroit jail.
"Understandably, this hearing (phiên tòa điều trần) is of paramount importance, and would be to any parent, no matter what their child has done," defense lawyers (luật sư bào chữa) Shannon Smith and Mariell Lehman said in a court filing (hồ sơ tòa án) Thursday.
Prosecutors (các công tố viên) are opposed to having the Crumbley parents in court, saying their presence would be a distraction, especially for victims (nạn nhân) who plan to speak at the sentencing, the Detroit Free Press reported.
The Crumbleys instead could be allowed to watch the hearing online in jail, assistant prosecutor (trợ lý công tố viên) Marc Keast said.
The parents have been in custody (bị giam giữ) since shortly after the November 2021 shooting (vụ xả súng), unable to afford a $500,000 bond (tiền bảo lãnh). They are accused of (bị cáo buộc) contributing to the tragedy by making a gun accessible to their son at home and ignoring his mental health needs.
Their trial (phiên tòa xét xử) begins on Jan. 23.
Four students were killed (bị giết) at Oxford High School and six more students and a staff member were wounded (bị thương).
The shooter pleaded guilty to (bị phán có tội) terrorism (khủng bố) and murder (giết người). A judge (thẩm phán)said he is eligible for (đủ điều kiện cho) life in prison (tù chung thân) without parole (không ân xá), though a shorter sentence (mức án ngắn hơn) is also possible.
Source: https://www.insider.com/crumbleys-ask-to-leave-jail-for-school-shooter-sons-sentencing-2023-10
