Michigan School Shooter’s Parents Turn to Larry Nassar’s Lawyer

The parents of accused Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley have hired a local defense lawyer who previously represented Larry Nassar, the former Michigan State University doctor serving a life sentence for abusing gymnasts.

James and Jennifer Crumbley hired Shannon Smith to defend them against four counts of involuntary manslaughter following the deaths of four students at Oxford High School in Michigan. Their son, Ethan Crumbley, 15, is facing murder charges in the wake of the shooting.

Based in the Detroit suburbs, Smith defends people accused of sex crimes and other offenses, according to her law firm’s website. She represented Nassar during his 2018 case that saw him plead guilty to seven charges of criminal sexual conduct and receive a prison sentence of up to 175 years.

Smith’s law partner, Mariell Lehman, is also representing James and Jennifer Crumbley. Smith confirmed in an email that she and Lehman are representing the parents.

Smith’s website says she uses non-traditional tactics to fight for defendants.

“In the #metoo era, many people think all allegations must be automatically ‘believed,’” her online bio reads. “The prosecutions are aggressive and ruthless, and the mantra that most defense lawyers stick to in other kinds of cases – sit back, be quiet, and simply defend – does not work.”

USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee on Monday reached a $380 million settlement with more than 500 of Nassar’s victims.

The Crumbleys entered a not guilty plea earlier this month after they were found hiding in a Detroit commercial building. Prosecutors said they failed to intervene on the day of the tragedy despite being confronted by school officials over drawings that read “blood everywhere” just hours before the shooting.

At their arraignment, Smith said her clients did not intend to flee and were “just as devastated as everyone else,” the Associated Press reported.

A judge imposed a combined $1 million bond for the couple.