Michigan school shooting suspect pleads not guilty at arraignment hearing

Ethan Crumbley, the fifteen year old Oxford school shooting suspect, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment hearing on Wednesday.

The arraignment hearing was held virtually via Zoom, and Crumbley appeared only briefly on camera from the Oakland County jail, where he is being held without bond. The plea was entered on the teen’s behalf by his lawyer, Paulette Michal Loftin. 

“I do think there’s a possibility (of a plea),” said Paulette Michal Loftin last week in an interview. “It is too early. We haven’t reviewed all of the discovery yet; there is still some forthcoming. I think it’s too early to jump to that phase, but that is a definite possibility.”

After discussions with the County Prosecutor, Loftin said her client decided to enter a not guilty plea. Crumbley is being charged as an adult in the November 30 school shooting that left four dead and seven injured.

He faces one count of terrorism, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm while committing a felony.