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Tilted Cat Head
Administrator
Location: Manhattan, NY
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Do you have it in you to forgive?
Quote:
AMAZING GRACE
By DEVIN SMITH
In an incredible act of forgiveness, the Long Island woman whose face was shattered when a 20-pound turkey was thrown through her windshield came face-to-face yesterday with the prankster who did it — and hugged him tightly as they both broke down in sobs.
Minutes earlier, Ryan Cushing, 18, had pleaded guilty to the Nov. 13 nightmare stunt that left Victoria Ruvolo, 44, critically injured. His plea was part of a deal that the big-hearted Ruvolo engineered, sparing the teen a possible 25 years in prison and instead landing the boy only six months in a local jail.
As the lanky teen started to leave the court- room, he hesitantly stepped toward Ruvolo, who was sitting in the second row, and tearfully apologized.
"I'm so sorry for what I did to you," he whispered, weeping. "I'm so happy you're doing well."
His emotional mea culpa prompted Ruvolo to get to her feet and wrap her arms around him, softly assuring him, "It's OK. It's OK."
The two then sobbed, shaking in one another's arms for several minutes, with Ruvolo urging the remorseful teen, "Please just keep on a good path."
When they parted, each was covered in the other's tears.
Under the deal hammered out at Ruvolo's request, Cushing pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in exchange for six months in the Suffolk County Jail and five years' probation.
He could have been sentenced to 25 years if convicted on the original charge of first-degree assault.
Prosecutors said Ruvolo persistently urged for mercy. They said the former collections-agency manager from Lake Ronkonkoma didn't want two lives ruined because of the incident.
"She actually recommended the proposed sentence," said prosecutor Peter Mayer.
"It's refreshing, to a degree, to see a person who has been hurt so horribly able to have such a big, open, wonderful heart."
Cushing's lawyer, William Keahon, agreed, noting, "This is one in a million.
"I've never seen that level of forgiveness and compassion in a victim."
Cushing and some pals had purchased the fresh gobbler from a Long Island supermarket using a stolen credit card.
In court, Cushing admitted that while he was riding in the back seat of his cousin's car, he decided to toss the bird into oncoming traffic.
He said he leaned out the window and heaved the turkey into headlights heading toward him on Portion Road in Lake Ronkonkoma. The headlights belonged to Ruvolo's Hyundai.
The turkey crashed through her windshield and smashed into her face.
Ruvolo's passenger, Louis Erali, grabbed the steering wheel and managed to stop the car.
Ruvolo underwent six hours of reconstructive surgery to her face.
Although doctors are amazed at her recovery, she still has years of therapy ahead of her.
Earlier this month, she told The Post that she was just thankful to be alive.
"I wake up each morning grateful for another chance at life," she said. "I thank God that I get to see another beautiful day, today and every day."
Outside court, Cushing said he, too, is grateful.
"I love that woman," he told reporters. "She's a wonderful person."
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Personally, I don't think I would have the heart to forgive that much... While I am quite patient and forgiving, I'm not sure about an affront like this.
I think it took great strength to not be bitter, angry, etc.
What about you?
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