rapist found guilty http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4771619.stm

[unruliejulie]

This lunchtime the annmouncement was made that the killer of Rochelle Holness has been jailed for life. Her mother shouted "Rot in Hell" I applaud her and her feelings for her daughters killer. When Anthony Walkers Mother said she forgave her sons killer, i found it very difficult to understand.I would NEVER forgive!! My question is, could you forgive anyone who murdered your son/daughter etc....

[sp1814]

BTW - thank you whoever gave me the stars. I've printed them off and am now wearing them on my jacket around the office.

I rule.

[unruliejulie]

julie pooly????????? I'm sure a man with such stature as your good self will manage Wardy pordy!!!!!

[andy-hughes]

I think a number of Correspondents have pointed out the essential point of Mrs Walker's reaction in forgiveness - the act itself and the loss and gried resulting from it cannot be changed. The only aspect over which someone in Mrs Walker's position has any control, is her own method of reaching a state whereby she can move on with her life. For her, it is the concept of forgiveness, which has brought her peace of mind. For the majority on here, probably reflecting the majority view in society, it would mean some form of retribution.

The essential point is, we must each assimilate the things that happen to us into our lives and into our experience, so we can move on with the rest of our time. The accomodation we reach is individual, and as long as the individual reaches their peace in their own way, then that is what is right for them, and who are we to gainsay either way?

[sixpence]

None of us know what lengths we would go to, to protect our children, or get revenge. Mother/father love is a very strong emotion. Which leads me to wonder if it works just as strongly for the the parents of those who commit a crime. Do those parents ever learn to live with that?

[unruliejulie]

I've thought about that one before.Did you see the Moors Drama the last 2 nights. Very thought provoking, viewing it from the killers family side. My God, it must be awful. Where would your loyalties lie. I don't honestly think i could forgive them for child killing. That is something else.I don't know the answer to that one though, very difficult.

[sixpence]

I couldn't make up my mind whether to watch it or not. I am old enough to remember the real case and it seems like yesterday. However, I set my SKY+ to record which is idiot-proof and for some reason it didn't do it. So I took that as a sign not to watch. I'm sure it must have dealt with the subject of the family of the murderers, but I can't begin to imagine it. Let's hope none of us have to be put to that test.

[unruliejulie]

well, theres never been another case like it up to now so thats good at least.It showed how the lives of her sister and brother -in-law were ruined and also how her mother took Myras side at the time and turned againt maureen who was a main trial witness. I guess we don't often think about the family of the culprits but they must go through so much suffering too. Thats a whole new question as to how we'd feel