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Michigan teen pleads guilty to killing four in school shooting

Published:Tuesday | October 25, 2022 | 10:47 AM
Ethan Crumbley answers yes to charges against him from the assistant prosecutor during his pre-trial hearing at Oakland County Courthouse, Monday, October 24, 2022. Pontiac, Michigan. Crumbley entered the guilty plea to 24 criminal charges including terrorism causing death and first-degree murder for the Oxford High School shooting. (Clarence Tabb Jr./Detroit News via AP)

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A teenager pleaded guilty Monday to terrorism and first-degree murder in a Michigan school shooting that killed four students and may be called to testify against his parents, who've been jailed on manslaughter charges for their alleged role in the tragedy.

Ethan Crumbley, 16, pleaded guilty to all 24 charges, nearly a year after the attack at Oxford High School in southeastern Michigan. In the gallery, some relatives of the victims wept as assistant prosecutor Marc Keast described the crimes.

“Yes,” Crumbley replied, looking down and nodding in affirmation, when asked if he “knowingly, wilfully and deliberately” chose to shoot other students.

The prosecutor's office said no deals were made ahead of Monday's plea.

A first-degree murder conviction typically brings an automatic life prison sentence in Michigan, but teenagers are entitled to a hearing where their lawyer can argue for a shorter term and an opportunity for parole.

“We are not aware of any other case, anywhere, in the country where a mass shooter has been convicted of terrorism on state charges,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said.

The teenager withdrew his intent to pursue an insanity defence and repeatedly acknowledged under questioning by Judge Kwame Rowe that he understands the potential penalties.

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