Family buy plane tickets for condemned inmate's daughter

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Updated 6:02 pm, Wednesday, April 26, 2017


SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Family members of a man whose death was caused by Arkansas condemned killer Kenneth Williams said they've forgiven him — and bought plane tickets so the condemned man's daughter and granddaughter could visit before his scheduled execution Thursday.

Michael Greenwood was killed in a 1999 traffic wreck with Williams, who had escaped from prison, where he was serving a life sentence for killing a cheerleader. Williams faces execution Thursday for killing another man, Cecil Boren, while on the run.

Michael Greenwood's daughter, Kayla Greenwood, told the Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/2pjoeYb ) that she learned a few days ago that Williams has a 21-year-old daughter, Jasmine, whom he hasn't seen for 17 years and a 3-year-old granddaughter he's never met. Greenwood said her mother bought plane tickets for Williams' daughter and granddaughter to fly from Washington state to Arkansas so they could see Williams on Wednesday, a day before his execution.

 
"I told him we forgive him and where I stood on it," said Greenwood, who sent a message to Williams through his attorney. "When he found out that we are bringing his daughter and granddaughter to see him and that my mom and dad bought the tickets, he was crying to the attorney."

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Family-buys-plane-tickets-for-condemned-inmate-s-11101448.php

[mopinko]

1. better people than me.

i dont think i could do it.

[mountain grammy]

2. I feel lucky that I've never lost a close family member because of a violent crime

so I can't begin to understand, but I am against the death penalty. People like the Greenwoods, who do something so extraordinary for a condemned man, well, what can you say? Truly amazing.

[elmac]

3. A beautiful thing they did. nt

[Chemisse]

4. What a lovely action.

I so admire people who can rise above hatred and bitterness, even when no one could possibly blame them for those emotions.

I'd like to think I could do that, but who really knows?

[LeftInTX]

5. I would do it too

Even if the victim's family is opposed to the death penalty, they often don't have a choice in the punishment. Poor kids probably can't afford a ticket.

[Justice]

6. I think they did it for daughter and grandchild

[burrowowl]

7. What a wonderful person!