Overview
- Opening statements began Tuesday in Newport News, with testimony expected through Nov. 6, according to the court docket.
- Zwerner’s attorney said four separate warnings reached Ebony Parker that the 6-year-old had a gun, yet no search of the child, removal from class, or call to police followed.
- Parker’s attorney argued the shooting was not foreseeable and urged jurors to avoid hindsight bias, describing school decision-making as collaborative.
- A judge previously let the lawsuit proceed against Parker individually and dismissed other administrators and the school board after rejecting a workers’ compensation defense.
- Parker also faces eight felony child-neglect counts with a criminal trial set for next month; the boy brought his mother’s handgun, and Zwerner has lasting injuries after multiple surgeries.