Overview
- Jurors began deliberations Wednesday and are set to resume today after closing arguments in Abby Zwerner’s negligence case against former assistant principal Ebony Parker.
- Zwerner’s attorneys argue Parker ignored multiple warnings a first grader had a gun and delayed a search, asserting that her inaction amounted to gross negligence.
- The defense says the shooting by a 6-year-old was unforeseeable and presented a school-safety expert who testified Parker met professional standards and shared safety responsibilities.
- The judge denied a defense mistrial motion over a closing rebuttal remark about Parker not testifying, and the jury was instructed to assess gross negligence and causation.
- A separate criminal trial charging Parker with eight felony child-neglect counts is set to follow, as testimony detailed Zwerner’s lasting injuries and six surgeries.