Concerned staff warned administrators at a Virginia elementary school three times that a 6-year-old boy had a gun and was threatening other students in the hours before he shot and wounded a teacher, but the administration "was paralyzed by apathy" and didn't call police, remove the boy from class or lock down the school, the wounded teacher's lawyer said Wednesday.Later in the day, the school board voted to relieve district superintendent George Parker III of his duties effective Feb. 1 as part of a separation agreement and severance package.Diane Toscano, an attorney for Abigail Zwerner, said during a news conference that she has notified the school board in Newport News that the 25-year-old teacher at Richneck Elementary School plans to sue the school district over the Jan. 6 shooting, which left Zwerner with serious injuries."On that day, over the course of a few hours, three different times — three times — school administration was warned by concerned teachers and employees that the boy had a gun on him at the school and was threatening people. But the administration could not be bothered," Toscano said.She said that Zwerner first went to an administrator at around 11:15 a.m. on the day of the shooting and said the boy had threatened to beat up another child, but no action was taken. About an hour later, another teacher went to an administrator and said she had taken it upon herself to search the boy's bookbag, but warned that she thought the boy had put the gun in his pocket before going outside for recess, Toscano said."The administrator downplayed the report from the teacher and the possibility of a gun, saying — and I quote — 'Well, he has little pockets,' " Toscano said.Shortly after 1 p.m., another teacher told an administrator that a different student who was "crying and fearful" said the boy showed him the gun during recess and threatened to shoot him if he told anyone. Again, no action was taken, she said.When another employee who had heard the boy might have a gun asked an administrator to search the boy, he was turned down, Toscano said."He was told to wait the situation out because the school day was almost over," she said.About an hour later, "Abby Zwerner was shot in front of those horrified kids, and the school and community are living the nightmare, all because the school administration failed to act," Toscano said."Were they not so paralyzed by apathy, they could have prevented this tragedy," she said.School district spokesperson Michelle Price declined to comment."Since the school division's investigation is ongoing, I cannot comment on the statements presented by Ms. Zwerner's lawyer at this time," Price wrote in an email.The shooting raised questions over security at the school and stunned Newport News, a city of about 185,000 people roughly 70 miles (113 kilometers) southeast of Richmond.Parker's departure had been expected since a school board agenda was posted Tuesday showing that the panel was set to vote on his separation package. The school board announced his departure following a closed-door special meeting Wednesday evening.The board voted 5-1 in favor of the separation agreement and severance package. Effective Feb. 1, Parker will be "relieved of his duties" as superintendent. Surles-Law said the decision was made "without cause," and said Parker has been a "capable division leader" who has served Newport News for nearly five years through challenging times.Parker, who has been sharply criticized by parents and teachers in the wake of the shooting, has said that at least one administrator was told on the day of the shooting that the boy might have a weapon, but no weapon was found when his backpack was searched. Police have said that school officials did not tell them about that tip before the shooting, which happened hours later.Cindy Connell, a middle school teacher in Newport News, called the events described by Toscano "beyond horrifying.""This is just another example of administrators not listening to the concerns of teachers, and the only reason we're talking about this one is because Abby Zwerner got shot," Connell said."I think any administrator that was told repeatedly that this child has a weapon, we think this child has a weapon — anyone who knew about this situation and did nothing should lose their job."Police Chief Steve Drew has repeatedly characterized the shooting as "intentional," saying the boy aimed at Zwerner and fired one round, striking her in the hand and chest. Zwerner was hospitalized for nearly two weeks but is now recovering at home, Toscano said."The road to full recovery will be long ... and the psychological scars will be lasting," Toscano said.The boy's mother legally purchased the gun used in the shooting, police said. The boy's family said in a statement last week that the gun was "secured." The family's attorney, James Ellenson, told The Associated Press that his understanding was that the gun was in the woman's closet on a shelf well over 6 feet (1.8 meters) high and had a trigger lock that required a key.The family also said in its statement that the boy has an "acute disability" and was under a care plan "that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day." The week of the shooting was the first when a parent was not in class with him, the family said.James Ellenson, an attorney for the boy's family, released a statement Wednesday saying they "continue to pray for Ms. Zwerner and wish her a complete and full recovery.""Our hearts go out to all involved," Ellenson said.The school, which has been closed since the shooting, is scheduled to reopen next week. Karen Lynch, a longtime principal in the Newport News school district, has been named as an "administrator on special assignment" at Richneck, Lynch said in a note to parents on Monday.Ahead of the reopening, administrators and teachers held an Open House at the school Wednesday for students and their families to visit staff and participate in activities. Signs along the sidewalks in front of the school offered reassuring messages to the students: "You've got this," "We are Praying for You" and "You are Loved."__Associated Press reporter Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed to this report.

Sarah Weddington, a Texas lawyer who as a 26-year-old successfully argued the landmark abortion rights case Roe v. Wade before the U.S. Supreme Court, died Sunday. She was 76.Susan Hays, Weddington’s former student and colleague, said she died in her sleep early Sunday morning at her Austin home. Weddington had been in poor health for some time and it was not immediately clear what caused her death, Hays told The Associated Press.Raised as a minister's daughter in the West Texas city of Abilene, Weddington attended law school at the University of Texas. A couple years after graduating, she and a former classmate, Linda Coffee, brought a class-action lawsuit on behalf of a pregnant woman challenging a state law that largely banned abortions.The case of “Jane Roe,” whose real name was Norma McCorvey, was brought against Dallas County District Attorney Henry Wade and eventually advanced to the Supreme Court.Weddington argued the case before the high court twice, in December 1971 and again in October 1972, resulting the next year in the 7-2 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.Weddington’s death comes as the Supreme Court is considering a case over Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy that's widely considered to be the most serious challenge in years to the Roe decision.While that case was before the court, Weddington also ran to represent Austin in the Texas House of Representatives. She was elected in 1972 and served three terms as a state lawmaker, before becoming general counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and later working as an advisor on women's issues to President Jimmy Carter.Weddington later wrote a book on Roe v. Wade, gave lectures and taught courses at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Women’s University on leadership, law and gender discrimination. She remained active in the political and legal worlds well into her later years, attending the 2019 signing ceremony for a New York state law meant to safeguard abortion rights should Roe v. Wade be overturned.

Sarah Weddington, a Texas lawyer who as a 26-year-old successfully argued the landmark abortion rights case Roe v. Wade before the U.S. Supreme Court, died Sunday. She was 76.

Susan Hays, Weddington’s former student and colleague, said she died in her sleep early Sunday morning at her Austin home. Weddington had been in poor health for some time and it was not immediately clear what caused her death, Hays told The Associated Press.

Raised as a minister's daughter in the West Texas city of Abilene, Weddington attended law school at the University of Texas. A couple years after graduating, she and a former classmate, Linda Coffee, brought a class-action lawsuit on behalf of a pregnant woman challenging a state law that largely banned abortions.

The case of “Jane Roe,” whose real name was Norma McCorvey, was brought against Dallas County District Attorney Henry Wade and eventually advanced to the Supreme Court.

Weddington argued the case before the high court twice, in December 1971 and again in October 1972, resulting the next year in the 7-2 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.

Weddington’s death comes as the Supreme Court is considering a case over Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy that's widely considered to be the most serious challenge in years to the Roe decision.

Barry Thumma

While that case was before the court, Weddington also ran to represent Austin in the Texas House of Representatives. She was elected in 1972 and served three terms as a state lawmaker, before becoming general counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and later working as an advisor on women's issues to President Jimmy Carter.

Weddington later wrote a book on Roe v. Wade, gave lectures and taught courses at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Women’s University on leadership, law and gender discrimination. She remained active in the political and legal worlds well into her later years, attending the 2019 signing ceremony for a New York state law meant to safeguard abortion rights should Roe v. Wade be overturned.

It was a Friday afternoon when Edward Martell, dressed in a dark purple suit and bow tie, stood in front of Judge Bruce Morrow's courtroom. With one hand raised, the new lawyer was sworn into the State Bar of Michigan.Sixteen years ago in that same Wayne County courtroom, Martell stood in front of Morrow and pleaded guilty to selling and manufacturing crack cocaine.After being caught in a drug sting, the 27-year-old had gone into court prepared to hear the worst -- possibly 20 years in prison. Instead, he left with just a three-year probation sentence and words of encouragement that he says changed his life."I noticed right away Morrow was a unique guy," Martell told CNN. "I walked in his courtroom and I'm watching him and I realize he treats the defendants like real people. I was like 'Whoa, this judge is different.'""I will never forget what he told me. He said 'Mr. Martell, you don't have to be out here selling drugs. You have greatness within you. I challenge you, be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company."When he stepped out of the building, Martell, now 43, told himself he was ready to change. He was ready, he said, for a happier chapter in his life.While Martell says he was ready to face the upcoming challenges alone, Morrow stayed by his side since the day he left that courtroom."I told Ed, my door is always open for you, here's my number, I want to know what you're doing, I want you to keep me in your life," Morrow told CNN. "I gave Ed an opportunity. Everybody deserves to be treated with a great sense of humanity and importance."Martell became a regular visitor in Morrow's courtroom, sitting quietly in the back as the judge navigated through his docket. The two had lunch, spending hours in conversations that taught them everything they needed to know about one another.Finding the strength to growMartell, a Mexican American and the son of a single mother, was used to struggling.He grew up in low-income housing, relying on government assistance to survive every day."Growing up I didn't realize how hard we had it until I got older and fell victim to a lot of temptations that are out here for young people," he said.Martell said he received his first juvenile felony conviction when he was 13 years old. Two years later, he was convicted of another felony. He then dropped out of high school and left home, he said.His whole life involved drug trafficking, up until the moment he met Morrow."I've been in front of so many judges, at least 20," Martell said. "I pretty much have had an infraction in most Wayne County cities. I knew I was on my way to prison. I guess all I needed was some love."For years, the judge got to watch Martell's growth, beginning with his enrollment in a community college, to winning a full academic scholarship to the University of Detroit Mercy, to graduating at the top of his class.Martell was then accepted to the university's law school, where he received another full scholarship. The hard part, he said, was passing the character and fitness application to prove he was morally fit to practice law."We had to have a hearing, he had to hire a lawyer, I testified to his character and fitness," Morrow said. "That was the big deal, these people looking at him and making a decision on whether or not he was fit when they didn't walk one day in his shoes."After weeks of worrying, finding people to back him up, and writing a 1,200-word application to support his belief that he was competent to become a lawyer, Martell received a favorable result."I just cried like a baby," he said.After passing the bar exam on his second try, Martell was close to the finish line.The day he became a newly sworn lawyerIt was a sunny day -- blue skies, no clouds -- when Martell prepared to officially become a lawyer. He worked hard to keep his hands steady as he buttoned up his shirt.It was the moment he'd been waiting for since the day he decided to become a new person."I was nervous. I was excited. It was surreal," Martell said. "I still have to pinch myself sometimes."When he walked into Morrow's courtroom, followed by his mother, siblings, and his own children, he tried to hold in the overwhelming emotions of the moment."We were both so happy, so excited, but we tried to stay low-key, like it's no big deal, so we wouldn't look all giddy and silly," Morrow said. "If Ed was wearing lipstick, you would have been able to see lipstick smudges on both his ears because that's how big that smile was on him. It was a look I'd never forget."After a brief speech, Martell was sworn in. The judge and the former convict shared a hug, both in tears."I see him as my son," Morrow said. "It was like walking your daughter down the aisle. It was one of the moments where I just felt so happy. My joy was for him."While the story had a happy ending, it's not the end. Both men said they taught each other lessons they will carry for the remainder of their lives.The experience "reinforced" Morrow's commitment to not judge others, especially those who stand before him, not by "where they came from, how they speak, their lack of good decisions," he said."You might think 'Oh, what a crazy choice' but if you knew what they had to choose from you'd say 'You know what, I'd have chosen that, too.'""Love changes people," he added. "That's the most important lesson we all should learn from this story."While Martell taught him to be slow to judge, Morrow taught Martell the importance of dedicating yourself to change. Not just for yourself -- but for those around you."It's my duty to change the system," Martell said. "I don't want to be the exception; I should be the norm. For that to happen, I can't use this story to further my career, I have to use it to pave the path for others who stand where I did all those years ago."After three years as a criminal law clerk at the Perkins Law Group, Martell has joined the team as a criminal defense lawyer. Now a father of four, his goal is no longer about bettering his own life, but to better the lives of his children and the generations after.With every step he takes, Morrow promises to stay by Martell's side, holding him up when he feels like he's going to fall and reminding him to celebrate every accomplishment."Morrow cracked that door open for me and pointed me in the right direction but he never left me," Martell said. "I felt like I was his son and he was proud of me. It was everything I dreamed of."