| Story Views | |
| Now: | |
| Last Hour: | |
| Last 24 Hours: | |
| Total: | |
Watch: Mother Comes Face-To-Face With Daughter’s Killer in Court, What Happens Next Stunned Everyone
Ady Guzman-DeJesus was in court with the Miami-area young man who killed her daughter.
It was time for the man to be sentenced. He was going to get what he had coming.
Instead of a long sentence for manslaughter, what Jordyn Howe got instead that day in 2014 was a hug from Guzman-DeJesus and a second chance. He now uses that opportunity to help other young people avoid mistakes that can ruin their lives and the lives of others.
This past week, he spoke to 100 Miami-area high school students about the events of 2011, when he was 15, that led him to fire a gun that killed a girl who had been his friend. He recounted to them how he had been so fixed on the bullying taking place that he never thought past the expected confrontation with the bullies.
He told them how he was horsing around with the gun, and then it went off, killing Lourdes “Jina” Guzman-DeJesus.
Then they heard from the victim’s mother.
“I know he didn’t do it on purpose,” said Ady Guzman-DeJesus. “It took me a while to understand that. He’s not a killer. I know in his heart, he’s sorry. I decided to forgive him.”
She did more than just forgive Howe. She was a crucial piece in creating the deal that let Howe remain in Florida’s juvenile system so he could continue school instead of going to prison. He’s still serving that sentence, which includes helping other young people avoid mistakes.
After hearing Howe and Guzman-DeJesus talk, the high school students who met with them were moved.
“It was very heart warming. It really shows the humanity of some people. It was a very beautiful thing,” said Pablo Ocampo.
h/t: IJ Review
Source: http://www.westernjournalism.com/watch-mother-comes-face-to-face-with-daughters-killer-in-court-what-happens-next-stunned-everyone/
