Recently, CBS News carried a story of extraordinary forgiveness. Ricky Jackson spent 39 years in prison on death row for a murder he did not commit. He was only 18 and was misidentified by a witness. A 12-year-old named Edward Vernon identified the suspect. Vernon now claims he was pressured to make the identification although he saw nothing. Finally, with the help of his pastor, he came forward. The Ohio Innocence Project got a new trial, and Vernon had an opportunity to tell the whole truth. Jackson was released. Being released was not enough. Jackson wanted to forgive the man whose testimony put him behind bars. When they met, they both dissolved into tears. Jackson admitted that for many years he has hated Vernon. He went on to say the only way he could move forward in life was to forgive.
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