As James and Jennifer Crumbley awaited sentencing for their conviction for involuntary manslaughter, both sought to avoid jail.

Their son Ethan Crumbley is serving life in prison for the school rampage where four were killed and seven others were injured. The gun used was given to the teen as a birthday present by his parents. James, convicted of involuntary manslaughter, asked the judge for "time served" and Jennifer asked the judge to let her serve her time on house arrest in a guest house at her attorney's home.

Oakland County Prosecutor Marc Keast has recommended 10-to-15-year jail sentences for both Jennifer and her husband, James. While James was in jail,  damning phone conversations surfaced in which Crumbley had allegedly threatened Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald.

In a call from October 9, 2023, five months before the trial, Crumbley says, “Yeah, Karen McDonald, you’re going down. … Go ahead, record this call. Send it to Karen McDonald. Tell her how James Crumbley is going to f------ take her down."

In a call on December 23, 2023, Crumbley says, “There will be retribution, believe me." 

The threats were bad enough that Crumbley's jail communication privileges were revoked during his trial.  Neither received the sentence they asked for.

Joining Nancy Grace Today: 

• Jarrett Ferentino – Homicide Prosecutor in Pennsylvania and Host of, “True Crime Boss” Podcast; Facebook & Instagram: Jarrett Ferentino
• Tom Smith – Former NYPD Detective, Co-Host of the “GOLD SHIELDS” Podcast; FB & Instagram: @thegoldshieldshow
•  Dr. Shari Schwartz – Forensic Psychologist (Specializing in Capital Mitigation and Victim Advocacy); Author: “Criminal Behavior” and “Where Law and Psychology Intersect: Issues in Legal Psychology;” X: @TrialDoc”
• Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth) and Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School
• Lauren Conlin – Investigative Journalist, Host of The Outlier Podcast, and also Host of “Corruption: What Happened to Grant Solomon; X- @Conlin_Lauren/ Instagram- @LaurenEmilyConlin/YouTube- @LaurenConlin4