re: Jennifer Crumbly (school shooter mom) verdict in: Guilty of involuntary manslaughter

quote:

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Is that the only negligence at play?

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The issue is does it arise to criminal negligence under the statutes of that particular state? In this case, gross negligence.

This is not an apples to apples comparison necessarily, but an example of how one can be held (civilly) responsible for the death of another even though one did not actually or intend to kill the decedent.
Most states have a civil cause of action for negligent entrustment. It most often arises in the context of drunk driving. I, as the owner of a vehicle, can be held liable for the death of another if I allow someone who I know is impaired/drunk to drive my vehicle and that person ends up killing someone. I didn't kill anyone, nor did I have any intent to do so. But I knew the person whom I was allowing to drive my car was impaired to the point where it was a reasonable possibility they could kill someone. I could have taken steps to prevent that death by not allowing the impaired person to drive my car. Yet, I chose not to. I entrusted them with the vehicle that was ultimately used to kill another.

My understanding is the State applied a somewhat similar logic here. That is, the parents knew or reasonably should have known their son was having mental issues that could rise to level of seriously harming others. Yet they knowingly provided him with a dangerous weapon anyway. Thus making them grossly negligent...which appears to be the standard under Michigan law to be found guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter.

Again, I was not on the jury, nor did I hear any of the facts introduce into evidence. So I have no opinion one way or the other on the verdict.