Colin Gray, the father of the teenager who carried out a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School, has filed a motion for a new trial less than a week after being sentenced to 15 years in prison. Gray was convicted in March of second-degree murder in the deaths of students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. His son, Colt Gray, now 16, was previously sentenced to life in prison for the September 4, 2024, shooting, which also injured eight students and one teacher.
In a two-page motion filed in Barrow County Superior Court, Gray's attorneys assert that his conviction is "decidedly and strongly against the weight of the evidence" and "without evidence to support it." They argue the verdict is contrary to law and the principles of justice and equity.
Prosecutors contended that Colin Gray, 55, overlooked significant signs of his son's deteriorating mental health when he gifted Colt a semiautomatic rifle and ammunition for Christmas. These signs included Colt's involvement in a true crime community where mass shooters were openly discussed. Gray's attorneys countered that the then-14-year-old Colt "actively hid the depth of his involvement" in online communities and appeared to be a normal teenager interested in video games and outdoor activities with his father.
Defense attorney Brian Hobbs suggested that Colt accelerated the attack because his father was seeking mental health treatment for him. However, Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith argued that Colin Gray was convicted for "what he did know" and for ignoring a "substantial and unjustifiable risk." Investigator Jason Smith added that Gray provided his son with the exact tool needed to carry out a mass shooting, making him responsible for the deaths, injuries, and trauma.
Colin Gray is reportedly the first parent in the United States to serve prison time for murder in a mass shooting committed by their child. At his sentencing, Barrow County Superior Court Judge Nicholas Primm noted the divisive nature of the case and acknowledged that Gray, who has no prior criminal history, did not intend to commit a crime. The judge stated Gray "failed as a parent" by not securing the firearms as his ex-wife had suggested, which could have prevented the tragedy.
Gray's case draws parallels to that of James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of Ethan Crumbley, who killed four students at Oxford High School in Michigan in 2021. The Crumbleys were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison, and their son received a life sentence without parole.
Colin Gray's appeal is expected to focus on the interpretation of Georgia law regarding second-degree murder. Georgia law defines second-degree murder as causing the death of a child by committing the crime of cruelty to children. An attorney not involved in the case told Fox 5 Atlanta that this statute typically requires the accused to directly inflict cruelty resulting in death. The defense may argue that Colin Gray did not directly harm anyone at the school. The appeal will proceed to the Georgia Supreme Court for a decision.