NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The long-awaited civil lawsuit of Abigail Zwerner against Ebony Parker commenced on Monday, with jury selection finalizing seven jurors and two alternates. The courtroom was filled to capacity on Tuesday morning for the opening statements, as reported by Kelsey Jones from WTKR Newport News.
Day one of the trial featured testimonies from several key witnesses, including the Newport News Schools director of human resources, the reading specialist who discovered Zwerner after the tragic shooting, and the trauma surgeon who treated her at Riverside Hospital. The emotional day concluded with moving testimony from Zwerner’s mother, Julie Zwerner.
In her opening statement, Zwerner’s attorney, Diane Toscano, emphasized Parker’s responsibilities as the school’s second-in-command, highlighting her duty to maintain a safe environment for students. Toscano recounted the harrowing moment of the shooting, stating, “At 1:58 p.m., BANG! A bullet went through Abby’s hand, then through her chest.” Toscano revealed that the bullet remains lodged in Zwerner’s body due to the risks associated with its removal.
Toscano asserted that multiple teachers had alerted Parker about the student having a gun prior to the incident, urging the jury to pay close attention to the forthcoming testimonies over the trial’s two-week duration.
Dr. Nina Farrish, the director of human resources for Newport News Public Schools, testified that Parker acknowledged to her days after the shooting that there had been a report of a gun in the student’s backpack at approximately 12:20 p.m., well before the shooting occurred.
Amy Kovac, a reading specialist at Richneck Elementary, recounted the moment she heard the gunfire coming from Zwerner’s classroom. She described discovering Zwerner injured and immediately identifying her need for help. Kovac bravely approached the shooter, referred to only as “JT,” and took action to secure him while calling emergency services.
The day’s testimony culminated in an emotional account from Julie Zwerner, who shared her painful experience of seeing her daughter in the hospital post-shooting. She detailed Abby’s physical condition at the time, saying, “She was in pain, you know, all bandaged up, tubes and machines hooked up to her.” Julie Zwerner also discussed the enduring effects of the trauma on her daughter, who, despite her dedication to teaching, has decided not to return to the classroom.
As the trial progresses, it stands to be a pivotal moment not only for Zwerner and her family but also for discussions surrounding school safety and accountability. The courtroom proceedings allow for a closer examination of the circumstances leading to the shooting and its profound impact on the community.