Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley was like a 'feral child' and neglected by his parents, psychologist testifies at hearing to determine if he will get life in prison

Michigan high school shooter Ethan Crumbley was like a 'feral child' who was deeply neglected by his parents, a psychologist testified at a hearing to determine if he will get life in prison. 

Crumbley pleaded guilty to killing four of his classmates and wounding seven others in a shooting at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021.

In a Miller hearing on Tuesday, his lawyers played disturbing videos from jail showing the 17-year-old in deep distress as deputies restrained him while he wailed.

In one image, his head is completely covered with a hood. 'Why didn't you stop it? I'm sorry. ... Stop it, God, why?', he said. 

Psychologist Colin King spent more than 20 hours with the shooter and determined he was 'a child who has been abandoned' and that he was mentally ill.

Michigan high school shooter Ethan Crumbley was like a 'feral child' who was neglected by his parents, a psychologist testified at a hearing to determine if he will get life in prison

Crumbley pleaded guilty to killing four of his classmates and wounding seven others in a shooting at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021

Psychologist Colin King spent more than 20 hours with the shooter and determined he was 'a child who has been abandoned' and that he was mentally ill

King said Crumbley was experiencing psychosis, a break from reality. He later predicted that the boy 'absolutely' can be rehabilitated.

'A number of my clients have had issues with the law,' said King, who has testified in many homicide cases. 

'Through psychotherapy and support, they´ve been able to make progress. ... Ethan's brain is still maturing.' 

Crumbley pleaded guilty in Oakland County Circuit Court to a total of 24 charges, including one count of terrorism causing death and four counts of first-degree murder on October 24 last year.

He was also charged with seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The teenager, who was 15 at the time, opened fire at Oxford High School outside Detroit with a semi-automatic handgun that his father purchased for him as a Christmas gift days before the massacre.

Two boys, aged 17 and 16, and two girls, aged 17 and 14, were killed while six other students and a teacher were wounded.

The mass shooter can't automatically be a given life sentence because of his age.

Oakland County Judge Kwame Rowe must consider the shooter's maturity, mental health, unstable family life and other factors set by the Supreme Court.

He still can order a life sentence, but it would be a rare outcome for a teen. Crumbley otherwise would face a minimum prison sentence between 25 years and 40 years, followed by eligibility for parole. His maximum term would be 60 years.

Psychologist King met with Crumbley several times, interviewed him and ran him through a series of psychological tests. He also reviewed his dark journal entries and text messages

The mass shooter can't automatically be a given life sentence because of his age. Oakland County Judge Kwame Rowe must consider the shooter's maturity, mental health, unstable family life and other factors set by the Supreme Court

Prosecutors want a life prison sentence with no chance for parole.  People with depression 'all don't become mass shooters, do they?' assistant prosecutor David Williams said in the hearing

Psychologist King met with Crumbley several times, interviewed him and ran him through a series of psychological tests. He also reviewed the teen's dark journal entries and text messages.  

He disclosed that the teenager believed that a gun was going to be found in his backpack on the day of the shooting when he was sent to the office for drawing violent images in class. 

'Ethan said for the first time in his life he felt relieved,' King testified. 'He said he just knew the sheriffs were going to burst into the office and arrest him because there was no way - after all that they saw - they weren´t going to search that backpack.'

But the backpack was never checked, and the boy was allowed to remain in school. He later emerged from a bathroom and started shooting.

King said Crumbley was raised in a turbulent home by parents who left him alone for hours, argued in front of him and weren't discreet when discussing infidelity, divorce and suicide. 

The boy was even forced to figure out what to do with his beloved dead dog.

'He can be considered a feral child,' King said.

'It is essentially a child who has been abandoned. ... Someone who is abandoned has what is called arrested development,' he said. 'They lack social cues. They become misfits in society.'

Crumbley pleaded guilty to killing four of his classmates and wounding seven others in a shooting on November 30, 2021

The teenager's parents, Jennifer Crumbley (left) and James Crumbley (right), both face manslaughter charges for their son's actions

King concluded the school shooter has major depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

'A number of innocent people died,' the psychologist said. 'I'm not here to make excuses for Ethan Crumbley. He planned the attack. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. He was mentally ill.'

Prosecutors want a life prison sentence with no chance for parole. During cross examination of King, they suggested the psychologist was giving the shooter a break.

People with depression 'all don't become mass shooters, do they?' assistant prosecutor David Williams said.

Williams repeated evidence that was entered last week: journal writings and a video made the night before the shooting in which the teen declared his plan to attack the school.

He noted that victim Justin Shilling was executed in a bathroom. 'You think that´s the product of a juvenile brain?' Williams asked.

'I do,' King replied.

A memorial to the four victims of Ethan Crumbley's shooting at the high school 

A parent hugging a child following the active shooter situation at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021

King said adults repeatedly missed opportunities to help the shooter. But Williams noted that help was just a few days away if the boy really wanted it. 

His parents had assured school staff that he would get counseling within 48 hours after they saw his violent drawings.

Prosecutors last week called four people who witnessed the shooting, including a staff member who was wounded and a student who saved a wounded girl. It was the first time their accounts were aired in court.

Separately, Crumbley's parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, face involuntary manslaughter charges.

They're accused of ignoring their son's mental health needs and making a gun accessible at home.

The Miller hearing will resume on August 18.