3.1 DUTIES OF JUDGE AND JURY
(1) Members of the jury, the evidence and arguments in this case are finished,
and | will now instruct you on the law. That is, I will explain the law that applies to
this case.
(2) Remember that you have taken an oath to return a true and just verdict,
based only on the evidence and my instructions on the law. You must not let
sympathy, bias, or prejudice influence your decision. You must avoid reaching
conclusions that may have been unintentionally influenced by stereotypes. You
must reach your own conclusions about this case individually, but you should do so
only after listening to and considering the opinions of the other jurors, who may have
different backgrounds and perspectives from yours.
(3) As jurors, you must decide what the facts of this case are. This is your job,
and nobody else’s. You must think about all the evidence and then decide what each
piece of evidence means and how important you think it is. This includes whether
you believe what each of the witnesses said. What you decide about any fact in this
case is final.
(4) It is my duty to instruct you on the law. You must take the law as | give it
to you. If a lawyer says something different about the law, follow what | say. At
various times, | have already given you some instructions about the law. You must
take all my instructions together as the law you are to follow. You should not pay
attention to some instructions and ignore others.
(6) To sum up, it is your job to decide what the facts of the case are, to apply
the law as | give it to you, and, in that way, to decide the case.3.2 PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE, BURDEN OF PROOF, AND
REASONABLE DOUBT
(1) A person accused of a crime is presumed to be innocent. This means that
you must start with the presumption that the defendant is innocent. This presumption
Continues throughout the trial and entitles the defendant to a verdict of not guilty
unless you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty
(2) Every crime is made up of parts called elements. The prosecutor must
Prove each element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant is not
required to prove his innocence or to do anything. If you find that the prosecutor has
not proven every element beyond a reasonable doubt, then you must find the
defendant not guilty
(3) A reasonable doubt is a fair, honest doubt growing out of the evidence or
lack of evidence. It is not merely an imaginary or possible doubt, but a doubt based
on reason and common sense. A reasonable doubt is just that—a doubt that is
reasonable, after a careful and considered examination of the facts and
circumstances of this case.3.3 DEFENDANT NOT TESTIFYING
Every defendant has the absolute right not to testify. When you decide the
case, you must not consider the fact that he did not testify. It must not affect your
verdict in any way.3.5 EVIDENCE
(1) When you discuss the case and decide on your verdict, you may only
consider the evidence that has been properly admitted in this case. Therefore, it is
important for you to understand what is evidence and what is not evidence.
(2) Evidence includes only the swom testimony of witnesses, the exhibits
admitted into evidence, and anything else | told you to consider as evidence.
(3) Many things are not evidence, and you must be careful not to consider
them as such. | will now describe some of the things that are not evidence.
(4) The fact that the defendant is charged with a crime and is on trial is not
evidence. Likewise, the fact that he is charged with more than one crime is not
evidence.
(6) The lawyers’ statements and arguments [and any commentary] are not
evidence. They are only meant to help you understand the evidence and each side's
egal theories. You should only accept things the lawyers say that are supported by
the evidence or by your own common sense and general knowledge. The lawyers’
questions to the witnesses [, your questions to the witnesses,] and my questions to
the witnesses are also not evidence. You should consider these questions only as
they give meaning to the witnesses’ answers.
(6) My comments, rulings, questions, [summary of the evidence,] and
instructions are also not evidence. It is my duty to see that the trial is conducted
according to the law, and to tell you the law that applies to this case. However, when
| make a comment or give an instruction, | am not trying to influence your vote or
express a personal opinion about the case. If you believe that | have an opinion
about how you should decide this case, you must pay no attention to that opinion
You are the only judges of the facts, and you should decide this case from the
evidence.
(7) At times during the trial, | have excluded evidence that was offered or
stricken testimony that was heard. Do not consider those things in deciding the case.
Make your decision only on the evidence that I let in, and nothing else.
(8) Your decision should be based on all the evidence, regardless of which
party produced it]
(9) You should use your own common sense and general knowledge in
weighing and judging the evidence, but you should not use any personal knowledgeyou may have about a place, person, or event. To repeat once more, you must
decide this case based only on the evidence admitted during this trial.3.6 WITNESSES - CREDIBILITY
(1) As I said before, it is your job to decide what the facts of this case are. You
must decide which witnesses you believe and how important you think their
testimony is. You do not have to accept or reject everything a witness said. You are
free to believe all, none, or part of any person's testimony.
(2) In deciding which testimony you believe, you should rely on your own
common sense and everyday experience. However, in deciding whether you believe
@ person's testimony, you must set aside any bias or prejudice you may have based
on a witness's disability, race, national origin or ethnicity, gender, gender identity or
Sexual orientation, or religion, age, or socio-economic status. Again, take the time
you need to test what might be automatic or instinctive judgments, and to reflect
carefully about the evidence.
(3) There is no fixed set of rules for judging whether you believe a witness,
but it may help you to think about these questions:
(a) Was the witness able to see or hear clearly? How long was the witness
watching or listening? Was anything else going on that might have distracted
the witness?
(b) Did the witness seem to have a good memory?
(c) How did the witness look and act while testifying? Did the witness seem
to be making an honest effort to tell the truth, or did the witness seem to evade
the questions or argue with the lawyers?
(d) Does the witness's age or maturity affect how you judge his or her
testimony?
(e) Does the witness have any bias, prejudice, or personal interest in how this
case is decided?
(f) Have there been any promises, threats, suggestions, or other influences
that affected how the witness testified?
(g) In general, does the witness have any special reason to tell the truth, or
any special reason to lie?
(h) All in all, how reasonable does the witness's testimony seem when you
think about all the other evidence in the case?(4) Sometimes the testimony of different witnesses will not agree, and you
must decide which testimony you accept. You should think about whether the
disagreement involves something important or not, and whether you think someone
is lying or is simply mistaken. People see and hear things differently, and witnesses
may testify honestly but simply be wrong about what they thought they saw or
remembered. It is also a good idea to think about which testimony agrees best with
the other evidence in the case.
(6) However, you may conclude that a witness deliberately lied about
something that is important to how you decide the case. If so, you may choose not
to accept anything that witness said. On the other hand, if you think the witness lied
about some things but told the truth about others, you may simply accept the part
you think is true and ignore the rest.3.7 MULTIPLE DEFENDANTS.
(1) James Robert Crumbley and Jennifer Lynn Crumbley are both on trial in
separate cases. The fact that they are both charged is not evidence that either one
is guilty,
(2) You should only consider the evidence presented in this case. Each
defendant is entitled to have his or her case decided on the evidence and the law
that applies to him or her.3.10 TIME AND PLACE (VENUE)
The prosecutor must also prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the crimes
occurred on or about November 30, 2021, within Oakland County.4.1 DEFENDANT'S STATEMENTS AS EVIDENCE AGAINST THE DEFENDANT
(1) The prosecution has introduced evidence of a statement that it claims the
defendant made.
(2) Before you may consider such an out-of-court statement against the
defendant, you must first find that the defendant actually made the statement as
given to you.
(3) If you find that the defendant did make the statement, you may give the
statement whatever weight you think it deserves. In deciding this, you should think
about how and when the statement was made, and about all the other evidence in
the case. You may consider the statement in deciding the facts of the cas OE»4.3 CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
(1) Facts can be proved by direct evidence from a witness or an exhibit. Direct
evidence is evidence about what we actually see or hear. For example, if you look
outside and see rain falling, that is direct evidence that it is raining.
(2) Facts can also be proved by indirect, or circumstantial, evidence.
Circumstantial evidence is evidence that normally or reasonably leads to other facts.
So, for example, if you see a person come in from outside wearing a raincoat
covered with small drops of water, that would be circumstantial evidence that it is
raining
(3) You may consider circumstantial evidence. Circumstantial evidence by
itself, or a combination of circumstantial evidence and direct evidence, can be used
to prove the elements of a crime. In other words, you should consider all the
evidence that you believe.4.4 FLIGHT, CONCEALMENT, ESCAPE OR ATTEMPTED ESCAPE
(1) There has been some evidence that the defendant ran away and tried to
hide after he was accused of the crimes.
(2) This evidence does not prove guilt. A person may run or hide for innocent
reasons, such as panic, mistake, or fear. However, a person may also run or hide
because of a consciousness of guilt.
(3) You must decide whether the evidence is true, and, if true, whether it
shows that the defendant had a guilty state of mind.4.7 STIPULATION
When the lawyers agree on a statement of facts, these are called stipulated
facts. You may regard such stipulated facts as true, but you are not required to do
so.5.2 WEIGHING CONFLICTING EVIDENCE--NUMBER OF WITNESSES
You should not decide this case based on which side presented more
witnesses. Instead, you should think about each witness and each piece of evidence
and whether you believe them. Then you must decide whether the testimony and
evidence you believe proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.5.3 WITNESS WHO HAS BEEN INTERVIEWED BY A LAWYER
You may have heard that a lawyer [or lawyer's representative] talked to one
of the witnesses. There is nothing wrong with this. A lawyer [or lawyer's
representative] may talk to a witness to find out what the witness knows about the
case and what the witness's testimony will be.5.10 EXPERT WITNESS
(1) You have heard testimony from witnesses, Detective Edward Wagrowski,
who has given you his opinion as an expert in the field forensic cell phone analysis:
Experts are allowed to give opinions in court about matters they are experts on
(2) However, you do not have to believe an expert's opinion. Instead, you
should decide whether you believe it and how important you think it is. When you
decide whether you believe an expert's opinion, think carefully about the reasons
and facts they gave for their opinion, and whether those facts are true. You should
also think about the expert's qualifications, and whether their opinion makes sense
when you think about the other evidence in the case.§.11 POLICE WITNESSES
You have heard testimony from witnesses who are police officers. That
testimony is to be judged by the same standards you use to evaluate the testimony
of any other witness.16.10 INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER
(1) In Ct. 1, the defendant is charged with the crime of Involuntary
Manslaughter. To prove this charge, the prosecutor must prove each of the following
elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
(2) First that the defendant caused the death of Madisyn Baldwin, that is, that
Madisyn Baldwin, died as a result of storing a firearm and its ammunition so as to
allow access to the firearm and ammunition by his minor child.
(3) Second, in doing the act that caused Madisyn Baldwin's death, the
defendant acted in a grossly negligent manner.16.10 INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER
(1) In Ct 2, the defendant is charged with the crime of Involuntary
Manslaughter. To prove this charge, the prosecutor must prove each of the following
elements beyond a reasonable doubt
(2) First that the defendant caused the death of Tate Myre, that is, that Tate
Myre, died as a result of storing a firearm and its ammunition so as to allow access
to the firearm and ammunition by his minor child.
(3) Second, in doing the act that caused Tate Myre’s death, the defendant
acted in a grossly negligent manner.16.10 INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER
(1) In Ct 3, the defendant is charged with the crime of Involuntary
Manslaughter. To prove this charge, the prosecutor must prove each of the following
elements beyond a reasonable doubt
(2) First that the defendant caused the death of Hana St. Juliana, that is, that
Hana St. Juliana, died as a result of storing a firearm and its ammunition so as to
allow access to the firearm and ammunition by his minor child.
(3) Second, in doing the act that caused Hana St. Juliana’s death, the
defendant acted in a grossly negligent manner.16.10 INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER
(1) In Ct. 4, the defendant is charged with the crime of Involuntary
Manslaughter. To prove this charge, the prosecutor must prove each of the following
elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
(2) First that the defendant caused the death of Justin Shilling, that is, that
Justin Shilling, died as a result of storing a firearm and its ammunition so as to allow
access to the firearm and ammunition by his minor child.
(3) Second, in doing the act that caused Justin Shilling’s death, the defendant
acted in a grossly negligent manner.16.13 INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER-FAILURE TO PERFORM LEGAL.
DUTY
(1) In Ct. 4, the defendant is charged with the crime of Involuntary
Manslaughter resulting from a failure to perform a legal duty. To prove this charge,
the prosecutor must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable
doubt
(2) First, that the defendant had a legal duty to Madisyn Baldwin. The legal
duty charged here is one imposed by law. In Michigan, a parent has a legal duty to.
exercise reasonable care to control their minor child so as to prevent the minor child
from intentionally harming others or prevent the minor child from conducting
themselves in a way that creates an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to others. This
duty arises when both of the following are true:
(a) the parent knows or has reason to know that they have
the ability to control their minor child; and
(b) the parent knows of the necessity and opportunity for
exercising such control.
(3) Second, that the defendant knew of the facts that gave rise to the duty.
(4) Third, that the defendant willfully neglected or refused to perform that
duty and his failure to perform it was grossly negligent to human life.
(8) Fourth, that the death of Madisyn Baldwin was directly caused by
defendant's failure to perform this duty, that is, that Madisyn Baldwin died as a
result of defendant's failure to exercise reasonable care to control his minor child so
as to prevent the minor child from intentionally harming others or the minor child
from so conducting himself so as to create an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to
others when the defendant knew that he had the ability to control his minor child and
knew of the necessity and opportunity to do so.16.13 INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER-FAILURE TO PERFORM LEGAL
DUTY
(1) In Ct. 2, the defendant is charged with the crime of Involuntary
Manslaughter resulting from a failure to perform a legal duty. To prove this charge,
the prosecutor must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable
doubt:
(2) First, that the defendant had a legal duty to Tate Myre The legal duty
charged here is one imposed by law. In Michigan, a parent has a legal duty to
exercise reasonable care to control their minor child so as to prevent the minor child
from intentionally harming others or prevent the minor child from conducting
themselves in a way that creates an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to others. This
duty arises when both of the following are true:
(@) the parent knows or has reason to know that they have
the ability to control their minor child; and
(b) the parent knows of the necessity and opportunity for
exercising such control.
(3) Second, that the defendant knew of the facts that gave rise to the duty.
(4) Third, that the defendant willfully neglected or refused to perform that
duty and his failure to perform it was grossly negligent to human life.
(5) Fourth, that the death of Tate Myre was directly caused by defendant's
failure to perform this duty, that is, that Tate Myre died as a result of defendant's
failure to exercise reasonable care to control his minor child so as to prevent the
minor child from intentionally harming others or the minor child from so conducting
himself so as to create an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to others when the
defendant knew that he had the ability to control his minor child and knew of the
necessity and opportunity to do so.16.13 INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER--FAILURE TO PERFORM LEGAL
DUTY
(1) In Ct. 3, the defendant is charged with the crime of Involuntary
Manslaughter resulting from a failure to perform a legal duty. To prove this charge,
the prosecutor must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable
doubt:
(2) First, that the defendant had a legal duty to Hana St. Juliana. The legal
duty charged here is one imposed by law. In Michigan, a parent has a legal duty to
exercise reasonable care to control their minor child so as to prevent the minor child
from intentionally harming others or prevent the minor child from conducting
themselves in a way that creates an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to others. This
duty arises when both of the following are true:
(a) the parent knows or has reason to know that they have
the ability to control their minor child; and
(b) the parent knows of the necessity and opportunity for
exercising such control.
(3) Second, that the defendant knew of the facts that gave rise to the duty.
(4) Third, that the defendant willfully neglected or refused to perform that
duty and his failure to perform it was grossly negligent to human life.
(5) Fourth, that the death of Hana St. Juliana was directly caused by
defendant's failure to perform this duty, that is, that Hana St. Juliana died as a
result of defendant's failure to exercise reasonable care to control his minor child so
as to prevent the minor child from intentionally harming others or the minor child
from so conducting himself so as to create an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to
others when the defendant knew that he had the ability to control his minor child and
knew of the necessity and opportunity to do so.16.13 INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER-FAILURE TO PERFORM LEGAL
DUTY
(1) In Ct. 4, the defendant is charged with the crime of Involuntary
Manslaughter resulting from a failure to perform a legal duty. To prove this charge,
the prosecutor must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable
doubt:
(2) First, that the defendant had a legal duty to Justin Shilling. The legal duty
charged here is one imposed by law. In Michigan, a parent has a legal duty to
exercise reasonable care to control their minor child so as to prevent the minor child
from intentionally harming others or prevent the minor child from conducting
themselves in a way that creates an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to others. This
duty arises when both of the following are true:
(a) the parent knows or has reason to know that they have
the ability to contro! their minor child; and
(b) the parent knows of the necessity and opportunity for
exercising such control
(3) Second, that the defendant knew of the facts that gave rise to the duty.
(4) Third, that the defendant willfully neglected or refused to perform that
duty and his failure to perform it was grossly negligent to human life.
(8) Fourth, that the death of Justin Shilling was directly caused by
defendant's failure to perform this duty, that is, that Justin Shilling died as a result
of defendant's failure to exercise reasonable care to control his minor child so as to
prevent the minor child from intentionally harming others or the minor child from so
conducting himself so as to create an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to others
when the defendant knew that he had the ability to control his minor child and knew
of the necessity and opportunity to do so.NON-STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTION--UNANIMITY (ADAPTED FROM
20.30A)
As | explained earlier in my instructions, the prosecutor asserts two different
theories to support the charges of Involuntary Manslaughter.
First, the prosecutor claims that the defendant committed involuntary
manslaughter because he failed to perform a legal duty.
In the alternative, the prosecutor claims that the defendant committed
involuntary manstaughter because he was grossly negligent.
Those theories are two different ways to prove the same crime. Either or both
of these theories, if proven, are sufficient to establish the crime of involuntary
manslaughter.
It is not necessary that you all agree on which theory has been proven, as
long as you all agree that the prosecutor has proved at least one of those theories
beyond a reasonable doubt.16.15 ACT OF DEFENDANT MUST BE CAUSE OF DEATH
There may be more than one cause of death. It is not enough that the
defendant's act made it possible for the death to occur. In order to find that the
deaths of Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, and Justin Shilling were
caused by the defendant, you must find beyond a reasonable doubt that the deaths
were the natural or necessary result of the defendant's act.
You heard the evidence that defendant's son shot Madisyn Baldwin, Tate
Myre, Hana St. Juliana, and Justin Shilling. As previously noted, there may be
more than one cause of death, and defendant's acts or inactions need not be the
sole cause of harm. In order to find that the death of Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre,
Hana St. Juliana, and Justin Shilling was caused by the defendant, you must also
find beyond a reasonable doubt that his son’s act of shooting someone was
reasonably foreseeable.16.18 GROSS NEGLIGENCE
(1) Gross negligence means more than carelessness. It means wilfully
disregarding the results to others that might follow from an act or failure to act. In
order to find that the defendant was grossly negligent, you must find each of the
following three things beyond a reasonable doubt:
(2) First, that the defendant knew of the danger to another, that is, he knew
there was a situation that required him to take ordinary care to avoid injuring another.
(3) Second, that the defendant could have avoided injuring another by using
ordinary care.
(4) Third, that the defendant failed to use ordinary care to prevent injuring
another when, to a reasonable person, it must have been apparent that the result
was likely to be serious injury.SPECIAL JURY INSTRUCTION — NAME
The Judge has ordered the parties be precluded from using the shooter's
name during this trial3.11 DELIBERATIONS AND VERDICT
(1) When you go to the jury room, you will be provided with a written copy
[copies] of the final jury instructions. [A copy of electronically recorded instructions
will also be provided to you] You should first choose a foreperson. The foreperson
should see to it that your discussions are carried on in a businesslike way and that
everyone has a fair chance to be heard.
(2) During your deliberations please turn off your cell phones or other
communications equipment until we recess.
(3) A verdict in a criminal case must be unanimous. In order to return a
verdict, it is necessary that each of you agrees on that verdict. In the jury room you
will discuss the case among yourselves, but ultimately each of you will have to
make up your own mind. Any verdict must represent the individual, considered
judgment of each juror.
(4) Itis your duty as jurors to talk to each other and make every reasonable
effort to reach agreement. Express your opinions and the reasons for them, but
keep an open mind as you listen to your fellow jurors. Rethink your opinions and
do not hesitate to change your mind if you decide you were wrong. Try your best
to work out your differences.
(5) However, although you should try to reach agreement, none of you
should give up your honest opinion about the case just because other jurors
disagree with you or just for the sake of reaching a verdict. In the end, your vote
must be your own, and you must vote honestly and in good conscience.
(6) If you have any questions about the jury instructions before you begin
deliberations, or questions about the instructions that arise during deliberations,
you may submit them in writing in a sealed envelope to the bailiff.3.13 PENALTY
Possible penalty should not influence your decision. If you find the defendant
Guilty, itis the duty of the judge to fix the penalty within the limits provided by law.3.14 COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT
(1) Ifyou want to communicate with me while you are in the jury room, please
have your foreperson write a note and give it to the bailiff. It is not proper for you to.
talk directly with the judge, lawyers, court officers, or other people involved in the
case.
(2) As you discuss the case, you must not let anyone, even me, know how
your voting stands. Therefore, until you retum with a unanimous verdict, do not
reveal this to anyone outside the jury room.3.15 EXHIBITS
When you go to the jury room to deliberate, you may take [your notes and]
full instructions.
If you want to look at any or all of the reference documents or exhibits that
have been admitted, just ask for them.3.16 WRITTEN OR ELECTRONICALLY RECORDED INSTRUCTIONS IN THE
JURY ROOM
When you go to the jury room, you will be given a written copy of the
instructions you have just heard. As you discuss the case, you should think about
all my instructions together as the law you are to follow.3.20 SINGLE DEFENDANT-MULTIPLE COUNTS-MORE THAN ONE
WRONGFUL ACT
(1) The defendant is charged with four counts of Involuntary Manstaughter.
These are separate counts, and the prosecutor is charging that the defendant
committed all of them. You must consider each count separately in light of all the
evidence in the case.
(2) You may find the defendant guilty of all or any one of these counts or not
guilty.3.23 VERDICT FORMS,
I have prepared a verdict form listing the possible verdicts.