NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A judge on Thursday granted a motion to strike the criminal case against a former Richneck Elementary School assistant principal, tossing all charges against her.
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Newport News Circuit Court Judge Rebecca M. Robinson said Ebony Parker’s actions do not amount to a crime under Virginia law.
Parker leaned over at the defense table and broke down in tears after learning the charges against her had been dismissed.
The former assistant principal was charged in the January 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News that left teacher Abby Zwerner wounded. Prosecutors had said the charges were for each of the bullets in the gun brought into Zwerner ’s classroom. Each count could have carried a maximum penalty of five years in prison upon conviction.
Robinson granted the motion after three days of the prosecution’s case — before the defense had put on any evidence.
A judge granting a motion to strike at this phase of a jury trial happens only rarely. But Robinson said she made her decision after listening to the evidence the past several days.
“It’s by the grace of God,” said Parker’s mother, from the Chesterfield area, said as she walked from the courthouse after Robinson’s ruling.
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“It’s been a long, long haul, for not a good reason,” she said as her eyes welled with tears.
“She’s a really great educator. A great teacher. A great person to advocate for the kids. That’s what breaks my heart, because these kids need every help they can get.”
One of Parker’s lawyers, Curtis Rogers, said that while she might have “made a mistake” and had a “lapse in judgement” on Jan. 6, 2023, she did not commit a crime. He said that many people were praying for Parker, and “those prayers were answered.”
“It’s a great relief,” said another of her lawyer, Stephen Teague, who said he’s never previously been granted a motion to strike in a felony case.
Parker didn’t want to say much, cracked a broad smile as she got into an SUV with her father. “I just want to go home,” she said.
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