Woman hugs the man who killed her husband in court

When a Georgia man was sentenced to 20 years for killing a man in a hit-and-run, the victim’s wife did something that even shocked the judge.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the wife of a victim hug the defendant where they killed someone,” said Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Tony Baker, according to ABC 7 Chicago and Atlanta Outlet WSB-TV.

Baker’s comment came after he witnessed Regina Johnson embrace Joseph Tillman, the man who killed her husband in 50 years, Chuck Johnson, in a hit-and-run last year, the stores reported.

Tillman was under the influence of nitric oxide when he beat 78-year-old Chuck, who cycled, according to his electric bicycle WSB-TV.

Georgia’s widow embraced Tillman, who invoked guilty of charges related to her husband’s death, in a courtroom in Cherokee County on Thursday, August 7, and wrapped his arm around his neck, pictures shared by the Atlanta station show. The couple hugged for several seconds, with Tillman red face and tearful as they pulled away from each other.

In a whispering center of Embrace, Regina also told Tillman that she forgives him, according to WSB TV. In response, she said he whispered back and apologizes: “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Tillman also apologizes in an emotional statement during the verdict. “I pray that you hear my heart when I say I really am, totally sad,” he said, his voice shaking, Per pictures shared by Atlanta News Station.

Regina said she hugged him because “God told her he needed a mother hug,” according to WSB TV. “Joey does not yet know how much God loves him,” she told the outlet. “Joey needs healing things in his past, as we all do. And that’s our heart and prayer.”

Tillman appealed guilty to three bills of murder with vehicles, plus criminal met and drove, which made a false statement, DUI and ruthless driving in a non-negotiated foundation, the Atlanta outlet reported, with reference to the Cherokee County Assistant District Attorney Pete Lamb.

He was sentenced to 20 years, with the first three in prison, reported ABC 7 Chicago and WSB TV. The prison sentence was canceled provided that he complete a two -year rehabilitation program for inpatient, according to the stores.

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Chuck’s daughter, Brittany McCarthy, was also in court for the judgment August 7. In an emotional statement, she told Tillman, “I will always be the daughter of a man you killed”, per pictures captured by WSB TV.

“I will be the daughter whose heart you crushed, a life you forever changed because of your choice to make drugs while driving,” said McCarthy, who was visibly emotional. “You became a deadly weapon and my father paid the price with his life.”

Tillman’s lawyer, Paul Ghanouni, said “he has changed his lifestyle”, Per WSB-TV, and “seems like he is on a track to continue to move on with his life in a positive way.”