Newly released jailhouse calls reveal James Crumbley, the father of the Oxford High School shooter, making chilling threats and proclaiming himself a “martyr.” These calls, made from prison, offer a disturbing glimpse into Crumbley’s state of mind after his conviction.
The calls came to light during James Crumbley’s trial, where he faced charges of involuntary manslaughter for his role in the tragic school shooting that claimed the lives of four students. While the content of the calls was initially unknown, prosecutors expressed concern over their nature, requesting the judge to restrict Crumbley’s communication privileges.
In one of the calls, James Crumbley can be heard saying, “Karen McDonald’s you’re going down…go ahead report this call send it to Karen McDonald…tell her how James Crumbley is gonna take her down.” The target of his threats, Karen McDonald, was the lead prosecutor in his case.
Crumbley’s anger and resentment towards the prosecution are evident throughout the calls. He repeatedly denies responsibility for the shooting, placing blame on the school system and maintaining his innocence. In a particularly unsettling statement, he refers to himself as a “martyr,” claiming he’s “fighting for everybody else’s freedom.”
These disturbing calls offer a chilling look into the mind of a man convicted for his part in a horrific tragedy. James Crumbley’s threats, coupled with his self-proclaimed martyrdom, paint a picture of a man struggling to grapple with the consequences of his actions.
