Judge rules school shooter Ethan Crumbley eligible for life in prison

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- A Michigan judge on Friday ruled that Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley was eligible to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole for the 2021 slaying of four classmates when he was 15.

Crumbley faces either life without parole or a term of years, which must be a minimum of 25 to 40 years and a maximum of 60 years.

Oakland County Circuit Judge Kwame Rowe set a Dec. 8 sentencing date for Crumbley, now 17, saying the teen was "obsessed with violence" and carefully planned out the shooting, exhibiting signs of someone much older.

Rowe said Crumbley, continued to show the same antisocial behavior that gave school administrators pause before the shooting.

"The defendant continues to be obsessed with violence and could not stop his obsession, even while incarcerated in the jail," Rowe said. "If the defendant continues to be obsessed with violence in jail, how could there be a possibility of rehabilitation? He continued to show the obsession pre-incarceration."

Rowe said he gave "little weight" to the argument that Rowe's brain had not matured, giving him a chance at rehabilitation. He said there are other factors that have to be considered and could not only rely on Crumbley's brain maturing.

"The defendant has to be the one who wants to change if he is to be rehabilitated," Rowe said. "The evidence does not demonstrate to this court that he wants to change."

He has entered guilty pleas in the shooting deaths of Tate Myre, 16; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Justin Shilling, 17.

Leading up to the hearing, the prosecution argued that Crumbley had forfeited the right to parole for the mass shooting. They said he showed no emotion during the rampage but appeared to be obsessed with every detail in carrying out the shooting.