@meghannmcuniff: A judge today dismissed the criminal case against a former Virginia school principal accused of child endangerment after a six-year-old student shot his teacher. Ebony Parker, the ex-assistant principal of Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, cried as Judge Rebecca Robinson granted Parker's lawyers' motion to strike the indictment. Parker was charged with eight felony counts of child abuse / endangerment and accused of failing to take action despite knowing the boy had a gun in the school before he shot first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner on Jan. 6, 2023. Trial testimony began Tuesday. Judge Robinson, who presides in Virginia's 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Newport News, heard argument on the motion to strike this morning before announcing her decision. She said the prosecution's case against Parker "is a mash up of legal theory, and it is not clear, based upon the plain meaning of the statute, that these facts are crimes in the court's analysis." "There is no precedent for what's before the court of an administrator being criminally charged and tried for what has been presented and what happened that day, Jan. 6, 2023 at Richmond Elementary School in Newport News," Robinson said. She said she "is of the legal opinion that this is not a crime, not under the common law of Virginia, nor under the code of Virginia." "Therefore, I do bring defense motion to strike in hold on all counts, all eight counts of felony child abuse and endangerment," Robinson said. "So those matters are dismissed."She said her rulng "is based upon legal principles only." "It is inappropriate for me to give my personal thoughts or express sympathy or concern, but it's understanding what happened that day was awful, that was agreed upon by all. The criminal matter before me does not call for me to discuss the Newport News school system or make political observations, and I will not comment on optics or engage in speculation," she said. "For the media who has contacted this court constantly over the past two weeks, there will be no further comment from this court," except to commend the attorneys for their advocacy. #law #crime #court

Areola Grande :

chay :

wow

marcavage04 :

I

♊️GeminiDiva_♊️ :

They are holding a principal to a higher standard than the parents and this is why we are a losing society.

Kendra Jo :

I am shocked!

noirxicana :

I commend this Judge! 👏🏽

Keith Clay :

She was indicted strictly on emotions. I’m glad the judge dismissed it all.

Sunset :

Why on Earth would the principal be charged?! This was ridiculous!!!

Jennifer Moultrie Au❌ :

Re trail new judge

abigail_rae_ :

I thought folk who work in a school are mandatory reporters? That’s the legal framework?

gigi :

I feel like negligence is illegal. what am I missing

Hay :

I agree with the judge. The fact of the matter is parents must ensure their children before going to school. Their backpacks are clear and free off any objects, including gun to take to school. So the parents are to be blamed here. I hope the parents are held accountable.

flexinmymelanin 💋 :

She didn’t have someone (according to school policy) to check the bag. She had to have the other principal (who was in a meeting) or security (who was at another school at the time). Legally she was not in the wrong though the event ended in a tragedy.

Katy :

I was so lost about the principal being charged 😳 thank you judge for your good judgement

Pickle Juice :

Agree, judge. 👍🏽

Martin Viglianese :

For fucks sake

Mrs. ASM :

Amen justice prevail

locsandfavor❌️ :

This is a case of common sense

Bad.Lieutenant :

Of course

WyattEarp01 :

Were the parents held accountable at all? I haven’t been following…..

Sylvia :

Mandatory reporting isn’t a thing now

DamnDiaz :

There was no charge related to Zwerner, the victim. That is crazy.

RosieDoiron :

Terrible

mariaqet4l2 :

Figures!

𝓛𝓪𝓭𝔂𝔀𝓮𝓼𝓽 🖤 :

Oh this judge got ready ready for this announcement! 😂😂😂😂😂