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

quote:

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Being aware of a picture with a gun and blood and doing nothing is one level of negligence. Being aware of a picture with blood and a gun and knowing the child had unfettered access to a handgun and ammunition is another level at least IMO.

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Agreed.

Under Michigan law it appears the standard to find someone guilty of involuntary manslaughter is gross negligence. As I'm sure you know, that is a standard higher than "ordinary" negligence. Often it requires proof of a wanton disregard of a known risk. It's more than just a "If I had been paying better attention I could have done something to possible avoid this situation". It's, "I knew of this very real, dangerous risk and wantonly disregarded it."

Again, I wasn't on the jury, so I didn't see any of the evidence presented. But it appears the strongest argument for the state was the parents were notified of the disturbing drawing the DAY of the shooting and they knew he had access to the gun. They also appeared to know he may have had prior mental issues. Now, they (presumably) did not know he had the gun with him at school that day (if he actually had it with him at the time of the meeting). But the argument is knowing what they knew they could have, that day, prior to the shooting, taken efforts to ensure he did not have the gun with him or be able to access the gun. Yet, they did nothing whatsoever....which (apparently) in the mind of the jury reached the threshold of gross negligence.