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Family Forgives Teen Who Killed Hero
theindychannel.com ^ | 09/09/09 | Derrik Thomas

Posted on 09/09/2009 12:52:00 PM PDT by Abathar

INDIANAPOLIS -- Heroism and forgiveness -- a murder victim exhibited the former and his family was generous with the latter.

The teen responsible for killing Mario Gonzalez, 72, was sentenced to 80 years in prison Wednesday in Marion Superior Court, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.

Gonzalez was recognized as a hero for what he did at 11 p.m. on June 30, 2008 -- an act of courage and kindness that led to his untimely demise.

Gonzalez came to the aid of a woman who was being robbed at gunpoint as she went to her car outside Mr. Gyros restaurant on West 38th Street.

Dominique Staten, then 16, had just bought a stolen gun from a friend and had gone on a crime spree, robbing a woman at gunpoint. Gonzalez stood up for the victim.

"He heard her crying out for help. He looked over and saw her being robbed by Mr. Staten," said Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Courtney Curtis. "He aimed the firearm that he had a right to carry and then he lost his life."

Gonzalez died from a single .357-caliber bullet to the abdomen. His gun was found at the scene, but he did not get off a shot.

Gonzalez's family gave emotional testimony in court, but said they forgive the defendant and hope he helps others while serving 80 years behind bars.

(Excerpt) Read more at theindychannel.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: Indiana
KEYWORDS: banglist

Hero

Scumbag

Prayers to the victim's family, it would take a good Christian to forgive this killer.

1 posted on 09/09/2009 12:52:00 PM PDT by Abathar
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To: Abathar
IMHO, a violent offender needs to beg for forgiveness; before it is given. I can forgive a repentant offender a lot — but not someone, who hasn't changed. Perhaps, after he's done his 80 years of penance; then he could be forgiven. (I prefer the word “penitentiary” to “prison”, for that reason.)
2 posted on 09/09/2009 12:59:25 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

I would be happy if he did 80 years, but he will probably be out with good behavior long, long before that.

My problem with begging for forgiveness is they always do it AFTER they get caught and the consequences of their action really hit home. Sorry doesn’t cut it unless they are the ones who offer without an upside to it.


3 posted on 09/09/2009 1:04:48 PM PDT by Abathar (Proudly posting without reading the article carefully since 2004)
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To: Abathar
I agree with you. I should have said that begging for forgiveness is a necessary, but not necessarily sufficient, precondition for forgiveness. The offender must be truly pentantent. Perhaps, after his release from "penitentiary"; if the offender asks for forgiveness, he should receive it.
4 posted on 09/09/2009 1:09:33 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: Abathar

Wait! Think of the health care savings that have been realized. This man is a one-man death-panel.</sarc>

I apologize for the crassness of my message, but someone please explain the difference between this criminal and Ezekiel Emmanuel’s proposals..


5 posted on 09/09/2009 1:10:12 PM PDT by tpmintx (Liberalism: Solving problems caused by Jealousy - with solutions based on Lies. (Think Green!))
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

“pentantent” = “penitent”


6 posted on 09/09/2009 1:12:36 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

Forgiveness - Yes, we forgive you. Now get your a$$ back in jail where you belong. You still need to do your time. Forgiveness and penalty are 2 different things.


7 posted on 09/09/2009 1:13:47 PM PDT by tpmintx (Liberalism: Solving problems caused by Jealousy - with solutions based on Lies. (Think Green!))
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To: Abathar
I believe in forgiveness and applaud this family for their courage. Not an easy thing to do.

I would forgive this unfortunate soul by inviting him on a deep sea fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Honest judge, that shark came right out of the water and snatched my young friend overboard. Yes sir, three days ago.”

Now I can forgive the shark.

8 posted on 09/09/2009 1:13:59 PM PDT by Tahoe3002
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To: Tahoe3002
“Honest judge, that shark came right out of the water and snatched my young friend overboard. Yes sir, three days ago.”

As long as it wasn't a great white shark. That would be racist.

9 posted on 09/09/2009 1:16:47 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA
IMHO, a violent offender needs to beg for forgiveness; before it is given.

How it should be:

AT A RAILWAY STATION

Seventh day of the sixth Month;--
twenty-sixth of Meiji.

Yesterday a telegram from Fukuoka announced that a desperate criminal captured there would be brought for trial to Kumamoto to-day, on the train due at noon. A Kumamoto policeman had gone to Fukuoka to take the prisoner in charge.

Four years ago a strong thief entered some house by night in the Street of the Wrestlers, terrified and bound the inmates, and carried away a number of valuable things. Tracked skillfully by the police, he was captured within twenty-four hours,--even before he could dispose of his plunder. But as he was being taken to the police station he burst his bonds, snatched the sword of his captor, killed him, and escaped. Nothing more was heard of him until last week.

Then a Kumamoto detective, happening to visit the Fukuoka prison, saw among the toilers a face that had been four years photographed upon his brain. "Who is that man?" he asked the guard. "A thief," was the reply,--"registered here as Kusabe."

The detective walked up to the prisoner and said:-- "Kusabe is not your name. Nomura Teichi, you are needed in Kumamoto for murder." The felon confessed all.

I went with a great throng of people to witness the arrival at the station. I expected to hear and see anger; I even feared possibilities of violence. The murdered officer had been much liked; his relatives would certainly be among the spectators; and a Kumamoto crowd is not very gentle. I also thought to find many police on duty. My anticipations were wrong.

The train halted in the usual scene of hurry and noise,--scurry and clatter of passengers wearing geta,--screaming of boys wanting to sell Japanese newspapers and Kumamoto lemonade. Outside the barrier we waited for nearly five minutes. Then, pushed through the wicket by a police-sergeant, the prisoner appeared,--a large wild-looking man, with head bowed down, and arms fastened behind his back. Prisoner and guard both halted in front of the wicket; and the people pressed forward to see--but in silence. Then the officer called out,--

"Sugihara San! Sugihara O-Kibi! is she present?"

A slight small woman standing near me, with a child on her back, answered, "Hai!" and advanced through the press. This was the widow of the murdered man; the child she carried was his son. At a wave of the officer's hand the crowd fell back, so as to leave a clear space about the prisoner and his escort. In that space the woman with the child stood facing the murderer. The hush was of death.

Not to the woman at all, but to the child only, did the officer then speak. He spoke low, but so clearly that I could catch every syllable:--

"Little one, this is the man who killed your father four years ago. You had not yet been born; you were in your mother's womb. That you have no father to love you now is the doing of this man. Look at him--[here the officer, putting a hand to the prisoner's chin, sternly forced him to lift his eyes]--look well at him, little boy! Do not be afraid. It is painful; but it is your duty. Look at him!"

Over the mother's shoulder the boy gazed with eyes widely open, as in fear; then he began to sob; then tears came; but steadily and obediently he still looked--looked--looked--straight into the cringing face.

The crowd seemed to have stopped breathing.

I saw the prisoner's features distort; I saw him suddenly dash himself down upon his knees despite his fetters, and beat his face into the dust, crying out the while in a passion of hoarse remorse that made one's heart shake:--

"Pardon! pardon! pardon me, little one! That I did--not for hate was it done, but in mad fear only, in my desire to escape. Very, very wicked have I been; great unspeakable wrong have I done you! But now for my sin I go to die. I wish to die; I am glad to die! Therefore, O little one, be pitiful!--forgive me!"

The child still cried silently. The officer raised the shaking criminal; the dumb crowd parted left and right to let them by. Then, quite suddenly, the whole multitude began to sob. And as the bronzed guardian passed, I saw what I had never seen before, --what few men ever see,--what I shall probably never see again, --the tears of a Japanese policeman.

The crowd ebbed, and left me musing on the strange morality of the spectacle. Here was justice unswerving yet compassionate,-- forcing knowledge of a crime by the pathetic witness of its simplest result. Here was desperate remorse, praying only for pardon before death. And here was a populace--perhaps the most dangerous in the Empire when angered--comprehending all, touched by all, satisfied with the contrition and the shame, and filled, not with wrath, but only with the great sorrow of the sin,--through simple deep experience of the difficulties of life and the weaknesses of human nature.

-Lafcadio Hearn, Kokoro
10 posted on 09/09/2009 1:17:53 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

he can beg for forgiveness from one of the mexican gangs in whatever prison he has earned his entry blank to.....


11 posted on 09/09/2009 1:21:11 PM PDT by Vn_survivor_67-68 (CALL CONGRESSCRITTERS TOLL-FREE @ 1-800-965-4701)
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To: AnAmericanMother
That’s what I had in mind. Thanks for posting a great little story.
12 posted on 09/09/2009 1:34:53 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: Abathar

“He can go in there and help someone else to become a better person,” said Mario Gonzalez, the victim’s son. “It can trickle down. It can spread. That’s what we’re hoping for.”

Poor folks just don’t get it. The taxpayers have to pay to feed and clothe this mutt for the rest of his life. Rest assured he won’t be a model prisoner. koombyyah


13 posted on 09/09/2009 1:36:52 PM PDT by kenmcg (THE)
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

Hearn is one of my favorite writers. A very strange bird indeed, but he saw into the heart of things.


14 posted on 09/09/2009 1:56:23 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: Abathar

May the Scumbag die way before his 80 years are up.


15 posted on 09/09/2009 2:03:21 PM PDT by mowowie
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To: Abathar

I think that forgiving in these circumstances is biblically incorrect. The offender has shown no remorse.

Luke 17:3:

Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him


16 posted on 09/09/2009 2:20:09 PM PDT by Fractal Trader
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