To err is human, to forgive is divine.
Mother Ady Guzman-DeJesus tragically lost her 13-year old daughter Lourdes two years ago, after a classmate, Jordyn Howe (now 16) accidentally shot off his stepfather’s gun while riding a school bus.
Ady not only forgave her daughter’s killer, she also advocated a lighter sentence for Jordyn.
The quality of mercy is not strained, indeed.
As part of the plea bargain, Jordyn pleaded guilty in exchange for one year in a juvenile detention facility, even though the judge had originally wanted a harsher sentence.
Jordyn was understandably remorseful as he hugged Ady in the courtroom:
“I’m just sorry for her loss and I apologize for doing what I did.”
In addition to the year long sentence in a juvenile detention facility, Jordyn will also be touring the state of Florida with Ady to talk about the dangers of firearms.
Meanwhile, the judge, Miami-Dade Circuit’s Ellen Sue Venzer was taken aback by Ady’s moving gesture of compassion and forgiveness:
“In 20 years, I’ve watched human tragedy unfold in this courtroom. I could have never imagined a victim├óΓé¼Γäós mother embracing her child├óΓé¼Γäós killer.”
In the end, Ady believed that this was what her daughter would have wanted:
“Justice is already done. I really do forgive him.”
We’re moved by her understanding. If the world had more people like Ady, it would be a better place!
-
Categories
