Prosecutors ask judge to revoke bond of mother of Virginia boy who shot teacher

RICHMOND, Va. — Prosecutors have requested a federal judge to revoke the bond for the mother of a Virginia boy who shot and wounded his first-grade teacher after she allegedly failed a couple of drug checks whilst anticipating sentencing on two prison fees.

Deja Taylor pleaded accountable in June to having a gun whilst possessing marijuana and to mendacity on a federal background test shape when she bought the 9mm handgun her son used to shoot teacher Abigail Zwerner on the Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. The boy was once 6 when he pulled out his mother’s gun in January and fired one shot at Zwerner in a school room complete of scholars. Zwerner was once significantly wounded.

Taylor was once launched on bond pending sentencing at the situation that she chorus from illegal drug use and ownership. In a movement filed in U.S. District Court final week, prosecutors mentioned Taylor examined sure for marijuana and cocaine use, failed to display up for 2 drug screenings and neglected two scheduled drug remedy periods.

“These violations are serious and call into question the defendant’s danger to the community, respect for the law and this Court’s Orders, and gives the United States no faith that the defendant will abide by the terms of her court supervision since her conduct is repeated and not merely one mistake,” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Peter Osyf wrote.

James Ellenson, one of Taylor’s legal professionals, informed The Virginian-Pilot that he’s going to ask U.S. District Judge Mark Davis no longer to revoke her bond.

“Like so many Americans, my client has serious substance abuse issues that are exacerbated by mental health issues. We would ask for compassion and understanding at this time. As always, we express a continued speedy recovery to Ms. Zwerner,” Ellenson informed The Associated Press in an emailed observation.

Prosecutors requested the judge to grasp a listening to on their request. No date has been scheduled but. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18. As phase of a plea settlement, prosecutors agreed to ask for a sentence of 18 months to 24 months in jail.

Taylor pleaded accountable final month to a separate state fee of prison kid forget. In that case, prosecutors agreed to ask for a sentence that falls inside state tips, which is predicted to be not more than six months. Prosecutors additionally agreed to drop a misdemeanor fee of reckless garage of a firearm. Sentencing is scheuled for Oct. 27.

Ellenson has mentioned Taylor believed her gun was once secured on a top closet shelf with a cause lock prior to the capturing took place. Federal prosecutors have mentioned that neither a cause lock nor key to this type of lock was once discovered all through searches of Taylor’s house.

Both instances are a few of the repercussions that adopted the capturing, which shook the town of Newport News close to the Atlantic Coast.

Zwerner is suing the varsity device for $40 million, accusing college directors of gross negligence and of ignoring a couple of warnings the day of the capturing that the boy had a gun in class.