ipl-logo

Mary Johnson Killing

519 Words3 Pages

Mercy seems to be very rare in today’s world, most people if they had the option to punish someone who has hurt them, would do it without thinking twice. Mary Johnson of Minneapolis, Minnesota however is different than most. In February 1993, Mrs Johnson's son, Laramiun Byrd, 20, was shot in the head by 16-year-old Israel after an argument at a party. Israel was involved with drugs and gangs, was tried as an adult and sentenced to 25 and a half years. He served 17 when Mrs. Johnson said she wanted to visit him in prison. Johnson, a devout Christian requested to see Oshea Israel, however he declined. Nine months later, he accepted. Isreal said “I believe the first thing she said to me was, ''Look, you don't know me. I don't know you. Let's just start with right now.'' The pair met regularly after that. When Israel was released from prison around 18 months later, Mrs. Johnson introduced him to her landlord who with her blessing, invited Israel to move into the …show more content…

People are fighting for murders to receive the death penalty. Mrs. Johnson however, made peace with her son’s killer, helped her son’s killer, and now is friends with her son’s killer. This truly is inspirational. She is happier now thaty she has made peace with this man. Countless people hold on to anger and hate for people who have hurt them but I truly don’t believe that is the right way to go about that situation. Pope Francis recalls an act of mercy similar to this one he said “Let us ... remember Peter: three times he denied Jesus, precisely when he should have been closest to him; and when he hits bottom he meets the gaze of Jesus who patiently, wordlessly, says to him: "Peter, don't be afraid of your weakness, trust in Me." Peter understands, he feels the loving gaze of Jesus and he weeps. How beautiful is this gaze of Jesus — how much tenderness is there! Brothers and sisters, let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of

Show More
Related

  • Injustice In The Film On Connie Hanes

    310 Words  | 2 Pages

    The film on Connie Hanes shows how inmates are treated inn prison and how it can drive them to commit suicide. Even before Connie Hanes verdict she was treated like a prisoner. While in court she was bare foot and not allowed to wear her own clothes, they made her wear a cotton jail dress. In addition, it was in January in the didn’t allow her to have a coat. Connie describes her attorney as believing she was guilty of the crime and “they weren’t going to waste a lot of time” because “ it was a cut and dry case” and the judge and juror are going to believe she is guilty.

    Read More

  • Mary Surratt Death Penalty

    360 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Penalty of Mary Surratt How would you discipline someone who took part in a murder? Would you give them a death sentence, maybe a life sentence in prison? Mary Surratt was charged with death for her involvement in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Although she may not have known about the murder, she was already going to aide in the kidnapping of the president. Therefore, Mary Surratt deserved her death penalty due to her actions in the murderous plan of Abraham Lincoln.

    Read More

  • The Story Of Mary Surratt's Assassination

    1077 Words  | 5 Pages

    April 15, 1865 has been called one of the darkest hours in U.S. history when at Ford’s Theatre, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. When we think of the Lincoln assassination we usually think of John Wilkes Booth or Ford’s Theatre. How many of us know about Mary Surratt or her boarding house? Mary Surratt owned and operated a boardinghouse where it is believed that John Wilkes Booth planned to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln and other government officials. She was tried and executed.

    Read More

  • The Murder Of Vickie Keane

    2437 Words  | 10 Pages

    On the morning of February 18, 1983 in Chickasha, Oklahoma the body of Charles Keene was found in the Washita River, putting a traumatic end to the twenty-seven day search for his body. It was immediately clear that this man had suffered a very drawn out and painful death. His body was pulled from the Washita River along with a cement block that was chained to his body. He was slit open from his throat to his abdomen, he had a broken leg with a bullet hole through his head and another that went through his chest. He also had multiple bruises and abrasions with the main focus of them being on and around his face and head.

    Read More

  • Should Mary Surratt Be Hanged

    492 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mary Surratt is said to be known as a part of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. After Lincoln died, investigators began looking for people who were part of the plot. They found Mary Surratt, since her son was one of Booth’s conspirators, and questioned if she should be hanged. Is Should Mary Surratt be hanged? Yes, Mary Surratt should be hanged because she has enough evidence to say she was involved in the assassination plot.

    Read More

  • Samereh Alinejad's Noyan, Iran

    428 Words  | 2 Pages

    Would you persecute the killer of your beloved family member if you had the choice? A mother did and she even forgave him. In Noyan, Iran, is where Samereh Alinejad forgave her son’s killer. In addition to this, she demonstrated an amazing act of mercy and has affected the whole community. My real life example of mercy is when this Iranian mom chooses not to persecute the killer.

    Read More

  • Who Is Mary Bell's Murder?

    441 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mary Bell came from a horrible childhood background. Her mother Betty worked as a prostitute, and she later gave birth at the age of seventeen. Mary was born in England in May 26, 1957. Betty did not know who the biological father is; however, she married to a man named Billy Bell. Billy Bell was a criminal who was later charge for robbery.

    Read More

  • Bryan Stevenson Just Mercy

    779 Words  | 4 Pages

    “There is a strength, a power even, in understanding brokenness, because embracing our brokenness creates a need and desire for mercy, and perhaps a corresponding need to show mercy (Stevenson 109) .” This bold statement is one of many as Bryan Stevenson sets the tone for his renowned award winning novel Just Mercy. As a young lawyer from Georgia, built the foundation for his company, SPDC (Southern Prisoners Defense Committee) to help convicts that are on death row or in need a second chance. Bryan Stevenson, a young lawyer from Georgia who fought for justice on the behalf of inmates on death row, showed tremendous intelligence in becoming a successful lawyer, demanding for not backing down in moments of refusal, and was an overall advocate

    Read More

  • Summary Of Irony In Just Mercy

    974 Words  | 4 Pages

    Mercy. This is where one would be wrong. In the first couple chapters in the book readers are introduced to criminals put on death row with tragic backstories, many of which grew up poor and abused and in some cases have mental problems that in today’s world would not have lead these people to their death. The 1980s doesn’t seem that far away to us now, but to those that have read

    Read More

  • Murder In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    1043 Words  | 5 Pages

    “To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, not justice.” -Desmond Tutu. This quote suggests why sentencing one to death after they have taken the life of another is not solving the problem. At most, it is helping to catalyze the grief and loathing towards those who have made mistakes.

    Read More

  • Essay On Just Mercy

    442 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, he writes to illustrate the injustices of the judicial system to its readers. To do so, Stevenson utilizes multiple writing styles that provide variety and helps keep the reader engaged in the topic. Such methods of his include the use of anecdotes from his personal experiences, statistics, and specific facts that apply to cases Stevenson had worked on as well as specific facts that pertain to particular states. The most prominent writing tool that Stevenson included in Just Mercy is the incorporation of anecdotes from cases that he himself had worked on as a nonprofit lawyer defending those who were unrightfully sentenced to die in prison.

    Read More

  • Romeo And Juliet Punishment Quotes

    410 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mercy and Punishment: Romeo and Juliet In the play Romeo and Juliet, the Prince declares, “Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.” (Act 3 Scene 1) The Prince reveals that murderers must be punished, otherwise, the authority is responsible for the crime. He also implies that showing mercy to murders will only let other killers do the same act.

    Read More

  • When Kids Get Life Essay

    976 Words  | 4 Pages

    The concept of injustice has always been something that has infuriated me, especially when experienced by juveniles. One particular example is portrayed in a documentary called When Kids Get Life, which I watched during an undergraduate juvenile delinquency course. This documentary, and the injustice it portrays, ignited my passion to stand up for unjust policies and laws against juveniles. In When Kids Get Life, produced by PBS, FRONTLINE producer Ofra Bikel traveled to Colorado in 2007 to document a story about five individuals who were sentenced to life without parole as juveniles.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Just Mercy: A Story Of Justice And Redemption

    902 Words  | 4 Pages

    1. Which social problems are treated in this book? Why did they develop? Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption focuses on many social problems, including the miscarriage of justice to the poor, disabled and minorities; along with the poor living conditions in prisons, and the cruel and unusual punishment. The miscarriage of justice developed throughout our country’s history.

    Read More

  • Light In The Dark Quotes Analysis

    1485 Words  | 6 Pages

    Even in the most horrific situations around the world, there are still good people in the world that bring out hope for humanity through the kindness in their heart. People should do the right thing despite the outcomes or aftermath that associate to the situation in order to help or restore lives in the long run. In the situation of the Lynchings of Marion, James Cameron is about to get hung standing with the noose around his neck, “But then they all fell silent. Cameron heard a woman’s voice: “Take this boy back.

    Read More

More about Mary Johnson Killing

Open Document