Abby Zwerner Testifies After Opening Statements Frame the Central Dispute
The first full day of testimony in Ebony Parker’s criminal trial began with opening statements and moved into testimony from Abby Zwerner, the first-grade teacher who was shot at Richneck Elementary School in January 2023. Prosecutors told jurors Parker ignored repeated warnings that a 6-year-old student may have had a gun. The defense argued the case unfairly places blame on Parker alone and said other adults also had chances to act.
Prosecutors Say Parker Had the Knowledge and Authority to Act
Special prosecutor Josh Jenkins told jurors that several school employees warned Parker they believed the child had a gun before the shooting. According to the prosecution, Parker was told the child’s mother would be arriving soon to pick him up, but she did not call police, search the child, remove him from the classroom, or tell the principal.
Jenkins argued Parker was one of two people at the school authorized under policy to take emergency action and that she was the only administrator who both knew about the alleged threat and could have intervened. Prosecutors also told jurors there were 19 students in Zwerner’s classroom at the time of the shooting, and argued all of them were put at risk.
Defense Says Parker Is Being Singled Out
Parker’s defense opened by arguing the prosecution is unfairly placing responsibility for the shooting on Parker alone. Defense attorney Curtis Rogers said Zwerner, reading specialist Amy Kovac, and others were also aware of the report about a gun and had the opportunity to move the child or separate students.
The defense also reminded jurors that Parker is presumed innocent and that the prosecution must prove her conduct was gross, wanton and culpable beyond a reasonable doubt.
Abby Zwerner Takes the Stand
Abby Zwerner was the first witness called by the prosecution. She testified about the day of the shooting and said she heard the student, identified in reporting as J.T., may have had a gun. Zwerner testified that she told reading specialist Amy Kovac what she had heard and also reported concerns to Parker.
Zwerner also testified that the student had slammed her phone to the ground days earlier and was in a violent mood on the day of the shooting. She described seeing him at recess wearing an oversized jacket with both hands in his pockets, then later continuing to wear the jacket in the classroom.
On cross-examination, the defense questioned Zwerner about her own actions before the shooting and whether she could have done more to protect students. Zwerner pushed back when the defense asserted that she failed to act to keep her students safe.
Former Principal Briana Foster-Newton Testifies
Former Richneck principal Briana Foster-Newton also testified on Day 1. She said she was not aware of reports that the student had a gun until after the shooting around 2 p.m.
Foster-Newton testified that she knew the student had behavioral issues and required significant accommodations to remain in class. On cross-examination, she said there was no policy stopping faculty from going to her if they were unsatisfied with Parker’s response. She also agreed more should have been done to separate students from the class before the shooting and that the student could have been sent to the office.
Where Day 1 Leaves the Case
Day 1 put the central dispute directly in front of the jury. Prosecutors are arguing Parker was the administrator with both knowledge of the danger and authority to act. The defense is arguing the situation involved multiple adults, multiple opportunities, and not the kind of criminal conduct required for felony child neglect.
The day also showed how important school procedure and chain of command will be in this trial. The prosecution is focused on what Parker allegedly knew and what she did not do. The defense is focused on what other adults knew, what options were available to them, and whether Parker’s actions meet the criminal standard jurors have to apply.