


To Forgive a Killer
To Forgive a Killer
Could a killer ever be forgiven?
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The families of homicide victims are, understandably, affected deeply by the loss of their loved ones. But not all family members experience the tragedy of homicide in the same way, and not all wish for additional deaths to avenge their loss. This film-in-progress introduces a family that attempts to come to terms with conflicting views of the man who murdered their beloved husband, father, and brother Jerry Hines, and with their varied views on the death penalty.
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This film explores the issues of homicide, victimhood, and reconciliation as it relates to the story of a family tragically affected by loss. The notion of Restorative Justice is an approach that focuses on the needs of both the victims and the offenders, as well as the involved community. It is an alternative to the pattern of punishment we see in the US Criminal Justice System. Some compare the concept of Restorative Justice with the Truth and Reconciliation movement in South Africa. It is a concept and also a practice being carried on throughout the US.