The mom of a 6-year-old who shot his first-grade instructor in a Virginia class pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a charge of felony kid disregard, according to district attorneys and a legal representative for the mom.
The mom, Deja Taylor, 26, appeared in court in Newport News, Va. District attorneys for the commonwealth consented to drop a 2nd misdemeanor count of kid endangerment including a packed weapon, they stated in a declaration
Ms. Taylor’s legal representative, James. S Ellenson, stated that while the kid disregard charge would bring an optimal sentence of 5 years in jail, district attorneys had actually concurred not to differ the state suggestion of one to 6 months jail time, offered her absence of criminal history.
” She’s upset,” Mr. Ellenson stated Tuesday, keeping in mind that Ms. Taylor’s kid, who was going through treatment, was now in the complete custody of his grandpa. “It’s a huge mess.”
Ms. Taylor’s guilty plea is the most recent advancement in a case that has actually drawn nationwide attention in the middle of disputes over weapons and school security, specifically offered her boy’s young age and his access to the weapon.
The shooting occurred on Jan. 6, when the young boy, a trainee at Richneck Primary school, secured the weapon, intended it and fired at his instructor, the authorities stated. The instructor, Abigail Zwerner, was seriously hurt by the single bullet that went through her hand and struck her chest.
” It’s altered me. It’s altered my life,” Ms. Zwerner informed NBC’s “Today” program in March. She has actually submitted a different claim looking for $40 million in damages from school authorities, implicating them of gross neglect.
Last month, Ms. Taylor pleaded guilty to separate federal criminal charges for utilizing cannabis while owning a gun and making incorrect declarations about substance abuse when she purchased the weapon. She was prosecuted by a grand jury in April following an examination by the Newport News Authorities Department and the workplace of the commonwealth lawyer.
The kid will not be charged, the commonwealth lawyer stated.
Sentencing for both the state and federal cases are set up for October. Ms. Taylor might confront 2 years for the federal charges, Gene Rossi, the legal representative representing her because case, stated.
Mr. Rossi stated he and Mr. Ellenson were confident that judges would enable Ms. Taylor to serve both sentences simultaneously. “That she has actually taken obligation for both cases I believe will assist her in the eyes of both judges who will be sentencing her,” he stated on Tuesday. “Ms. Taylor feels badly about the repercussions of her boy obtaining the weapon.”
Howard E. Gwynn, the district attorney, stated that his workplace was still examining the shooting. “The security of our schools is of vital value, and we will continue to support the victims as they overcome the impacts of this occurrence,” he stated.
Jacey Fortin contributed reporting.