Marcee Gray, the mom of teen school shooter Colt Gray, took the stand Monday to testify as a prosecution witness within the homicide trial of her estranged husband, Colin Gray.
Her testimony is more likely to deal with some of the intimate particulars of what Colin Gray knew about their son and what he did about that data. Defense attorneys are anticipated to cross-examine her about her previous authorized bother and struggles with habit.
Marcee’s mom – the shooter’s grandmother – testified on Friday, saying Colin Gray purchased his son an AR15-style rifle as a Christmas present 9 months earlier than the capturing and left the gun in Colt’s room, despite the fact that they knew about his psychological well being struggles.
The testimony has provided insights into the tumultuous home life of Colt Gray, who, in September 2024 at age 14, introduced that rifle to Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, and opened fire. Four folks have been killed and 9 have been injured, earlier than he surrendered to police.
Prosecutors allege Colin Gray purchased Colt the rifle regardless of earlier warnings that his son was a hazard to others, actions that represent criminally reckless conduct. His protection legal professional stated in opening statements Colin Gray was unaware his son was planning the capturing and had taken steps to attempt to get him assist.
He has pleaded not responsible to almost 30 fees, together with two counts every of second-degree homicide and involuntary manslaughter.
Colin Gray’s trial is a component of a broader push to carry extra folks accountable for a school capturing, together with the shooter’s parents and responding law enforcement officers. This case bears shut similarities to the trials of James and Jennifer Crumbley, whose then-15-year-old son killed 4 college students in 2021 at his excessive school in Oxford, Michigan.
The trial started final week and has featured emotional testimony from students and teachers who survived the capturing, police interviews with Colin Gray, Colt Gray’s spotty school attendance information and photos showing unsecured firearms and ammo in Colin Gray’s house.
In opening statements, prosecutors stated Marcee Gray went into Colt Gray’s room to attempt to remove his rifle, however Colt shoved her to the bottom. She then requested Colin Gray to take the rifle away from the teenager and lock up the firearm, however he didn’t achieve this, in keeping with prosecutors.
Marcee Gray has stated she acquired a regarding textual content from Colt Gray on the morning of the capturing and referred to as the school to ask them to examine on him. By the time the school discovered him, he had already opened fireplace, killing 4 folks and wounding 9 others.
The protection stated in opening statements they deliberate to problem Marcee Gray’s credibility, noting her authorized issues.
According to courtroom information, Marcee Gray, now 44, pleaded responsible in December 2023 to legal injury to property, legal trespass-family violence and use of a license plate to hide id. She informed NCS she was incarcerated from November 2023 to April 2024 after which spent three months in rehab.
The protection additionally alleged Colt Gray had informed his mom that he had despatched commissary cash to Nikolas Cruz, the imprisoned Florida school shooter, however Marcee didn’t share that data with Colin Gray, the school or police.
Every week after the capturing, Marcee Gray issued an open letter apologizing to the dad and mom and households of these affected by the capturing.
“We are all in a living nightmare right now, and I will personally never forgive myself for what has happened,” she wrote. “My son Colt is not a monster. He is my oldest baby. He is quiet, thoughtful, caring, funny, and extremely intelligent. Please pray for him and the rest of our family, as I am praying for all of you every moment of every day.”
Colt Gray has admitted to the shooting, in keeping with authorities. Now 16, he has pleaded not responsible to 55 felony counts, together with 4 counts of malice homicide. A trial date has not been set.