Family of slain Colorado student Claire Davis forgives killer

[onehandle]

Source: NBC News

[IMG][/IMG]

His daughter died eight days after the attack. She was an innocent victim of Pierson’s rampage, which officials believe was prompted by him losing his spot on the school’s debate team.

In 80 seconds of terror, Pierson stormed into the school armed with 125 rounds of ammunition, a machete and three Molotov cocktails, first firing a shotgun down a hallway. He then shot Claire point-blank while she sat nearby.

The high school senior suffered severe head trauma and fell into a coma.

Some law enforcement officers have vowed not to use Pierson’s name and have referred to him publicly as “the murderer,” but Michael Davis was conciliatory.

Read more: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/02/22146318-family-of-slain-colorado-student-claire-davis-forgives-killer

[Squinch]

1. That family is about three lifetimes more evolved than I am.

[rug]

2. +3

“We would ask all of you here and all of you watching to forgive Karl Pierson,” said Michael Davis, his voice choked with emotion. “He didn't know what he was doing.”

[davidpdx]

8. I think it's nice they did and said that and it's their opinion and I wouldn't begrudge them for

making it known. But I disagree with them on the concept of saying he didn't know what he was doing. To me it pretty much says he wasn't responsible for the death of Davis. The kid entered the school with a bone to pick and a teacher as a target. Granted the whole thing is academic as the shooter is dead. I have to wonder if the authorities had captured him alive if they'd feel differently.

[YarnAddict]

3. Grace & class personified. n/t

[maxsolomon]

4. Very nice gesture, but the kid knew exactly what he was doing.

He planned it. He bought a rifle to carry it out. He waited until his mom was out of town to do it. It wasn't impulsive. It was premeditated. It was deliberate. His thinking may have been delusional and disproportionate, but it was ordered. He was a sociopath.

If Claire Davis' family need to say this to be able to accept what happened, that's fine. But there really isn't anyone alive to forgive.

[QuestForSense]

5. Forgiveness is more than a nice gesture.

The living are also victims of the perpetrator. How badly do you think their hearts ache? If they can forgive the murderer, they are deserving of compassion.

[maxsolomon]

6. Forgiving the murderer IS compassionate. I'm not arguing that.

I think they're heartbroken and traumatized, and are trying to be compassionate as best they know how. I feel compassion for them as well.

I'm objecting to the platitude "he didn't know what he was doing", which excuses his actions too easily. Yes, he did know what he was doing, despite his emotional distress. He did it very deliberately. It's not simply a "trespass", to be forgiven as we forgive those who trespass against us. Murder is a mortal sin. Had he not killed himself, the state would not forgive.

Look, they are forgiving the killer in emulation of Christ on the Cross. I get it. Christ asked God to forgive those crucifying him, and mocking him, "for they know not what they do". What they didn't know was that they were killing the Messiah, which is a pretty big deal. But they knew they were crucifying a prophet - just not that he was literally the Son of God.

[Jerry442]

7. Anger and hatred is a corrosive substance that will destroy you.

If they can find a way to let it go, it will be best for them in the long run.

That said, I'm not sure I could.

[davidpdx]

9. I agree

In that situation forgiving him is a nice gesture. The kid that shot her is dead, so really what else can you do.

I don't think they should say he didn't know what he was doing. He came to the school "locked and loaded" (sorry for saying that, but I had to get it out) and targeting a teacher.

They might feel differently if he'd been caught.

[Douglas Carpenter]

10. very enlightened to put it mildly-- The young person did this was clearly not right in the head

because anyone who is right in the head would obviously not do such a thing - for the family of the victim to understand this in this day and age when thinking about such things is not very unpopular is so rare.