(CNN) — A Virginia circuit court judge on Thursday dismissed criminal charges against Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal accused of ignoring warnings that a 6-year-old child had a gun, after the defense argued the prosecution had not made its case.
鈥淭he court is of the legal opinion that this is not a crime,鈥� Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Robinson said.
Parker put her head down on the defendant鈥檚 table and appeared to be sobbing.
The charges stem from the January 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School in Virginia in which the child shot and wounded his first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner. She survived.
Parker had pleaded not guilty to eight counts of felony child abuse and disregard for life 鈥� one for each bullet in the child鈥檚 gun. The charges alleged she committed 鈥渁 willful act or omission in the care of such students, in a manner so gross, wanton and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life,鈥� according to court documents.
Parker鈥檚 criminal trial is one of a number of cases in recent years that have when a juvenile carries out a school shooting. Parents in and have been convicted of serious charges, while law enforcement officers accused of inaction in have been acquitted by juries.
Parker appears to be the first school educator to face trial in such circumstances.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
The-CNN-Wire
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