Everyone Was Shocked Why A Biker Was Hugging The Boy Who Killed His Daughter

“And because that’s what my daughter would want. Linda believed in second chances. She believed people were more than their worst moments. She believed love was stronger than hate.”

I walked over to Marcus and put my hand on his shoulder. He looked up at me with red, swollen eyes.

“This boy didn’t murder my daughter. He didn’t choose to drive drunk. He was drugged. He was victimized. And then he accidentally killed someone and has been living in hell ever since.”

“Sending him to prison for fifteen years won’t bring Linda back. It won’t heal our family. It won’t honor her memory. All it will do is destroy another young life and create more pain in this world.”

The judge was quiet for a long time. Finally, he spoke. “This is the most unusual case I’ve encountered in thirty years on the bench.”

He looked at Marcus. “Young man, do you understand what Mr. Patterson is offering you?”

Marcus nodded, unable to speak.

“Do you accept responsibility for what happened?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Marcus whispered. “Every day. Every second. I would give anything to trade places with Linda. Anything.”

The judge looked at me. “Mr. Patterson, if I agree to this arrangement, you understand you’ll be responsible for this young man? That he’ll be living in your home? Sleeping under your roof? That you’ll see him every day?”

“I understand, Your Honor. And I want that. My wife and I both want that.”

“We lost our daughter. We can’t get her back. But we can save this boy. We can give him a chance to honor Linda by living a good life. By helping others. By being the kind of person Linda would be proud to know.”

The judge took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “I need to think about this. This is not a decision I can make lightly.”

He called a recess. For three hours, we waited. Marcus sat with his public defender. I sat with my wife. And we all wondered what would happen.

When the judge came back, the courtroom was packed. Word had spread about the case. News cameras were outside. Everyone wanted to know what would happen to the boy who killed the biker’s daughter.

“I’ve made my decision,” the judge said. “Marcus Johnson, please stand.”

Marcus stood on shaking legs. I stood up too. Walked over and stood next to him.

The judge looked at both of us. “Marcus, you are being sentenced to ten years probation. You will complete 2,000 hours of community service. You will speak at schools about your experience. You will live with Mr. and Mrs. Patterson and abide by their rules. You will graduate high school and attend college or trade school.”

“You will meet with a therapist twice a week. You will attend AA meetings even though you’re not an alcoholic because you need to understand the impact of impaired driving. You will write letters to Linda’s memory every month describing the good you’re doing in the world.”

“And if you violate any terms of this probation, you will serve the remainder of your sentence—fifteen years—in adult prison. Do you understand?”

Marcus was crying too hard to speak. Just nodded.

“Mr. Patterson, are you sure about this?”

I put my arm around Marcus. “Yes, Your Honor. I’m sure.”

The judge banged his gavel. “So ordered.”Continue reading…