Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley is exhibiting “sporadic disturbing behavior” in prison, prosecutors said.
“This behavior has been documented via report and bodyworn cameras from jail personnel responding to various incidents,” assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said in a court filing. “It is not readily apparent what the impetus for or cause is of this behavior.”
The filing further requests that the court consider the behavior and Crumbley’s ability to participate in future hearings, saying, “These incidents relate to the defendant’s competence.”
Keast also raised the issue during a routine monthly hearing on Friday in Oakland County court. He did not provide specific details about Crumbley’s actions behind bars. Crumbley is being held at the county jail but is kept separate from adults who are also in custody.
Crumbley was 15 years old when police say he opened fire inside the halls of Oxford High School on the afternoon of Nov. 30, 2021. He shot and killed four classmates before he surrendered to responding authorities.
Last October, Crumbley, now 17, pleaded guilty to one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder and 19 other charges stemming from the mass shooting.
Keast and Crumbley’s attorneys said they still believe he is mentally competent for the sentencing phase of the case. The hearing begins July 27.
Crumbley’s parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, are also facing manslaughter charges for the massacre at their son’s high school, which is located about 35 miles north of Detroit. They’re accused of failing to intervene on the day of the shooting despite being called into the school for a meeting with administrators regarding their son’s classroom behavior.