Ethan Crumbley's Dark Journal Writings, Disturbing Texts Unveiled During Hearing

PONTIAC, MI — Prosecutors unveiled numerous text messages and journal writings they said Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley wrote months and days before the deadly shooting during a unique Thursday hearing in Oakland County.

Oakland County Sheriff Lt. Timothy Willis said Crumbley began detailing his plans to shoot up the school in text messages and journal writings in March 2021, eight months before the shooting that left four fellow students dead and seven others wounded.

"I will kill any innocent; I don't care about who I kill. I will kill who I feel like killing — age, gender, I don't care," Willis testified that Crumbley texted a friend. "...The scary thing is I like being this f—ed up. Some people don't, but I like it. I like being like this."

In his journal, prosecutors said Crumbley begged his father to buy him a 9 mm handgun, which he would use to carry out the shooting. Prosecutors also said Crumbley thoroughly researched different kinds of guns and the damage they can potentially do.

"Ready, and a 9mm ready. Then I'll walk behind any girl — pretty — and shoot them in the back of the head," Willis testified that Crumbley wrote in his journal. "I will then shoot anyone I see, aiming for the head, until I have to reload. I will then find a full class."

Prosecutors also said Crumbley wrote in the journal that he didn't want to kill himself because then he wouldn't be remembered "through all of history."

"I want all of America to see the darkness in me," Willis testified while reading excerpts from the journal. "I want to impact the world with this. I am going to record the shooting so when they show the video in court, everyone can see their children and friends dying. I want for the parents to see their kids burn to ash and bawl their eyes out. I am going to sped the rest of my life in prison, rotting like a tomato."

While Crumbley's defense lawyers acknowledged the horrific facts of the case, they argued Crumbley shouldn't spend the rest of his life in prison, largely citing details around his home life, such as journal writings they said he pleaded unsuccessfully for help from his parents.

Even though Crumbley, 17, pleaded guilty to 24 counts, including four counts of premeditated murder, he's entitled to what's known as a Miller hearing because he's a minor and was charged as an adult.

The hearing allows for a judge to review Crumbley's age to determine whether he can face life in prison without the possibility of parole, since a first-degree murder conviction typically brings an automatic life prison sentence in Michigan.

If Oakland County Circuit Judge Kwame Rowe decides the life without parole provision is too harsh, then he must sentence Crumbley to a minimum of 25 to 40 years and a maximum of at least 60 years.

So if Crumbley does not receive a life in prison without parole, the earliest he can ask for release would be in 25 years. Life with parole is not an option for murder cases under Michigan law.

Rowe recently dismissed a motion from Crumbley to have the life without parole provision removed from his sentencing. The Miller hearing is expected to bleed over into Friday and possibly next week. Rowe is expected to then review the material from the hearing and issue a ruling at a later date. After the ruling, Rowe will then set a sentencing date.

The four students killed in the shooting were 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 16-year-old Tate Myre, 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin and 17-year-old Justin Shilling.

Ethan's parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the deadly school shooting, making them the first parents ever charged in connection to a school shooting.

The Michigan Supreme Court is fielding an appeal from the couple to have the case thrown out after an Oakland County Judge ruled in March both parents can face trial on charges in connection to the deadly school shooting.

The "All For Oxford Resiliency Center," a program of Common Ground, will offer therapy dogs and extra support.

Their hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to help process emotions. Food will also be provided at their location. The address is 1370 S. Lapeer Road in Oxford.