Page 4 - aruba-today-20230209

A4 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 9 February 2023

Parents at school where boy, 6, shot teacher prepare to sue

By BEN FINLEY own legal notice, which
Associated Press lays out a series of damning
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The allegations.
families of two students at a The document says that
Virginia elementary school several hours before the
where a 6-year-old shot shooting, at least three
and wounded his teacher teachers and staff mem-
have filed notices of poten- bers warned school admin-
tial legal action against the istrators that they believed
school system over trauma the boy had brought a gun
they say the shooting inflict- to school. The boy’s back-
ed on their children. pack was searched, but no
The parents of a first-grad- gun was found, and admin-
er said their daughter was istrators did not remove the
in the classroom when the boy from class, lock down
shooting occurred and the school or call police.
“suffered emotional harm Two days before the shoot-
as a result.” The parents ing, the boy allegedly
also alleged that school of- “slammed” Zwerner’s cell-
ficials failed to protect their phone and broke it, ac-
daughter throughout the cording to her claim no-
school year from bullying, tice. He was given a one-
harassment and assault. Students return to Richneck Elementary in Newport News, Va., on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. day suspension, but when
A letter from the other Associated Press he returned to Zwerner’s
child’s family cites “injuries class the following day, he
sustained during a school them. They were first report- to Richneck Elementary dence, including emails pulled a 9 mm handgun
shooting on January 6, ed by the Daily Press. and intentionally shot his regarding any student who out of his pocket and shot
2023.” Their attorney did The notices were the lat- teacher, Abby Zwerner, as allegedly bullied, harassed her while she sat at a read-
not elaborate further, al- est fallout from a shooting she was teaching her first- or assaulted their daughter. ing table, the notice states.
though authorities have that has sent shockwaves grade class. Zwerner, 25, The parents of the other The letter from Zwerner’s at-
said that no children were through the shipbuilding was hospitalized for nearly student were not named torney also states that the
physically harmed during city near the Chesapeake two weeks but is now re- in their attorney’s letter, al- child constantly cursed at
the incident. Bay and drawn mounting covering at home. though the notice makes staff and teachers, chased
Both notices were dated criticism of school adminis- One of the legal notices a similar request for the students around and tried
Jan. 30. Newport News trators. was filed by “Mr. and Mrs. school system to preserve to whip them with his belt
Public Schools provided Police have said the first- Anthony Nieves Jr.,” and evidence. and once choked another
the letters to The Associat- grade student brought his asks the school system to Zwerner’s attorney, Diane teacher “until she couldn’t
ed Press after it requested mother’s 9 mm handgun preserve potential evi- Toscano, recently filed her breathe.”q

California proposal would reinstate prisoners’ voting rights

By STEFANIE DAZIO tional amendment. ons never lose their right to cerated, the conference with nonprofit Initiate Jus-
Associated Press It would be a major expan- vote, even while they are says. The right is automati- tice who was released in
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cali- sion of suffrage for incar- in prison, according to the cally reinstated upon re- September after 13 years in
fornia voters could decide cerated people if passed. National Conference of lease. state prison, said he want-
whether to reinstate voting California would join Maine State Legislatures. Some states’ laws require ed to have his voice heard
rights to people in prison on and Vermont, as well as The California bill, intro- probation and parole to while he was incarcerated.
felony convictions under a the District of Columbia, as duced Monday by Assem- be completed for the res- “Despite what many peo-
newly proposed constitu- the only states where fel- bly Member Isaac Bryan, toration of voting rights. In ple assume, people in pris-
proposes an amendment other states, people incar- on care about the same
to the state constitution. cerated on certain crimes political issues that we out-
“Democracy thrives when lose their rights indefinitely side do,” he said Wednes-
everybody has a chance after release. day during a news confer-
to have their voice heard,” The California Constitution ence supporting the legis-
Bryan wrote on Twitter. currently disqualifies peo- lation.
Two-thirds of each cham- ple who are incarcerated Bryan, a Los Angeles Dem-
ber of the state legislature in state or federal prison ocrat and the chair of the
must vote yes for the bill from voting and restores Assembly’s Committee on
just for it to appear on the the right upon their release. Elections, faces a tough
ballot as a proposition. Vot- The law previously required sell for the two-thirds vote.
ers must then approve it by felons to complete their While the Legislature is con-
a simple majority for it to parole period before get- trolled by Democrats, the
become a constitutional ting back their right to vote; party has conservative rep-
amendment. Californians approved the resentatives from rural ar-
California is currently change to get rid of that eas and major progressive
Barbed wire and a guard tower is seen at San Quentin State among 21 states where fel- requirement in a 2020 con- policies aren’t guaranteed
Prison on April 12, 2022, in San Quentin, Calif. ons only lose their right to stitutional amendment.
Associated Press to pass.q
vote while they are incar- David Cruz, an organizer