On Wednesday, the mother of a 6-year-old boy accused of killing his first-grade teacher during class in Newport News, Virginia, was sentenced to 21 months in prison on federal charges.
Following the January shooting at Richneck Elementary School, Deja Taylor was charged with using marijuana while in possession of a handgun and making a false statement about her drug usage during the purchase of the pistol, both crimes.
In June, she pled guilty to the allegations.
Federal prosecutors had requested a sentence of 21 months. She risked up to 25 years in jail if convicted.
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According to police, on January 6, the 6-year-old youngster carried a pistol into his classroom and purposely fired and wounded his teacher, Abby Zwerner. Zwerner had a bullet wound that went through her hand and into her chest.
Taylor acquired the pistol used in the shooting in July 2022, according to federal authorities. According to prosecutors, ATF agents never discovered a lockbox, a trigger lock, or a key for the pistol.
During the sentence hearing, Zwerner spoke about the last impact of the gunshot.
“Not only do I bear physical scars from the shooting that will remain with me forever, I contend daily with deep, psychological scars that plague me during most waking moments and invade my dreams,” she added in a statement.
She stated that she had five operations as well as frequent intense physical treatment to recover mobility in her hand.
“This permanent damage should never have been allowed to happen to me and would not have happened if not for the defendant’s actions or lack thereof,” she told the court.
Taylor’s pistol was also used in a second shooting in the weeks preceding the classroom shooting, according to authorities. Taylor’s unreturned U-Haul truck was discovered with the passenger rear window damaged, and text conversations between Taylor and her son’s father suggested she fired at her son’s father after seeing his girlfriend, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors stated no one was hurt and no police were contacted.
“Not once, but twice, someone nearly lost their lives as a result of Taylor’s conviction offenses,” prosecutors wrote in court records.
In the documents, prosecutors also stated that Taylor was a “marijuana abuser, whose chronic, persistent, and, indeed, life-affecting abuse extends this case far beyond any occasional and/or recreational use.”
According to federal law, it is illegal to possess marijuana while also carrying a firearm.
Taylor’s attorney told ABC News that the defendant is “extremely remorseful and contrite” and “takes full responsibility for her actions.”
“At no time did she intend for any of these consequences to occur, especially the tragic shooting of the wonderful teacher at the elementary school,” Gene Rossi, the attorney for the victim, said. “We are hopeful that after she serves her sentence and is released, she will receive the desperately needed treatment for her addiction, disease, and life challenges.” I am optimistic that she will have a fantastic rebound in the near future.”
Taylor was also charged with a state crime in connection with the shooting. In August, she pled guilty to child negligence and has yet to be sentenced. A misdemeanor allegation of endangering a child via irresponsible weapon storage was withdrawn.
Zwerner filed a $40 million negligence claim against her school district. The school board’s lawyers attempted to reject her suit, claiming that her injuries were covered by the state’s worker’s compensation legislation. A court determined earlier this month that the case may proceed.
