A Trial Built on Half the Truth: Jury Only Heard One Side
James Crumbley’s appeal argues the prosecution intentionally hid critical evidence that would have allowed the defense to fully challenge the credibility and motives of key school witnesses. This wasn’t an accident or a paperwork mistake, the defense says — it was a willful decision that deprived the jury of the full truth.
According to the filing, Sharon notes that prosecutors signed proffer agreements with counselor Shawn Hopkins and dean of students Nick Ejak — the two school officials whose testimony anchored the State’s case. These deals protected them from potential charges and provided assurances and protection. Yet those agreements were never turned over to the defense before trial as required.
The brief explains why that matters:
When witnesses have something to gain, jurors must be told so they can properly weigh credibility. The appeal states:
“The exposure of a witness’s motivation in testifying is a proper and important function of the constitutionally protected right of cross-examination.”
But because the defense was kept in the dark, the jury never learned that Hopkins and Ejak had incentives to please the prosecution. The brief says the concealment “foreclosed any possibility” of exposing bias or motive.
The prosecution’s failure wasn’t isolated — the filing lists 34 separate occasions where evidence was produced to the defense, yet the proffer deals remained hidden every single time. The appeal calls that further proof the concealment was “intentional and willful.”
The Rule the State Broke
The appeal cites Michigan Court Rule 6.201, which mandates disclosure of any agreements that could impeach a witness. The brief quotes case law making clear that even impeachment material must be disclosed, not just traditional exculpatory evidence:
“Brady recognizes no distinction… both are ‘evidence favorable to the accused’ and must be disclosed.”
That didn’t happen here.
The jury believed Hopkins and Ejak testified with no skin in the game.
But the documents show they did.
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NEXT ➜ PAGE 6: GUN ACCESS — WHAT ETHAN SAID VS. WHAT THE JURY WAS TOLD
Page 6 breaks down Ethan’s own admissions that he stole the gun, broke into a locked case, and hid that from his parents. Sharon argues this completely destroys the State’s claim that James enabled or permitted access — a crucial foundation of the criminal charges. This is evidence the jury never heard.
Click Page 6 to see why the defense says the gun-access theory collapses under Ethan’s own words.