A widow in Georgia has forgiven her husband’s killer after a deadly hit-and-run – and in a shocking courtroom moment, she offered him a hug.
Regina Johnson’s husband, Chuck Johnson, 78, was tragically killed while riding an e-bike after then 24-year-old Joseph Tillman passed out behind the wheel and struck the rider on March 3, 2024.
Chuck was taken to hospital with critical injuries, where he later passed away on March 10.
Yet, in a shocking courtroom moment, Johnson only had words of forgiveness for her husband’s killer, who pled guilty to the charges related to Chuck’s death, and offered him a hug.
Johnson said that ‘Joey doesn’t know how much God loves him’ and offered Tillman a hug because ‘God told her he needed a mom hug.’
‘Joey needs healing of things in his past, as we all do. And that is our heart and prayer,’ Johnson said.
Tillman whispered to Johnson, ‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,’ WSB-TV 2 reported.
Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Tony Baker said in shock: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen the wife of a victim hug a defendant where they killed somebody.’
Tillman had struck Chuck Johnson after he was found to have been drinking at a sports bar, before buying whippets of Galaxy Gas while behind the wheel.
The nitrous oxide drug caused Tillman to pass out behind the wheel of his car, leading him to hit and ultimately end Chuck’s life.
Yet, he did not stop after hitting the bike rider and another driver who was involved in the incident was initially charged, Fox 5 reported.
Tillman said: ‘I’ve committed to the long road of making amends. I’ve entered rehab, embraced sobriety, began the hard, humbling work of healing. I know I do not deserve peace when I’ve caused so much pain.’
Cherokee County Assistant District Attorney Pete Lamb said Tillman pleaded guilty to three counts of homicide by vehicle, felony hit and run, making a false statement, DUI and reckless driving in a non-negotiated plea, WSB-TV reported.
Tillman’s defense lawyer, Paul Ghanouni, said: ‘He’s changed his way of life and seems like he’s on a trajectory to continue to move forward with his life in a positive way.’
Tillman was sentenced to 20 years, the first three of which will be spent in prison on conditions pertaining to the completion of a 24-month inpatient rehab program and aftercare, the outlet reported.
Baker, however, sternly warned him that ‘the minute you flunk out, the minute you flunk out, you’re going to go to prison.’
Johnson said she wasn’t sure justice could ever be fully served for such a crime that took her husband, but believes Tillman’s sentencing will give him an opportunity to turn his life around.
Instead, she is searching for justice by suing the manufacturer of Galaxy Gas and the Georgia-based Cloud 9 Smoke and Vape shop that sold the drug to Tillman.
The shop reportedly sold the whippet to the driver less than an hour before the incident.
Johnson’s attorney Alan Hamilton said that the Cloud 9 chain ‘had to absolutely know they were distributing a substance that was going to be inhaled by kids and other people,’ Law & Crime reported.
Kyle Wallace, also representing Johnson, added that ‘the intent is clear that it’s not being sold for culinary purposes.’
Three companies are being sued by Johnson, including Cloud 9 Smoke Co. 28, LLC, Galaxy Gas, LLC, and SBK International, LLC.
In a statement to WSB, the attorney representing the companies, Chris Timmons, said, ‘Neither Cloud 9 Smoke Co. nor SBK International, LLC, have ever marketed or sold nitrous oxide products for unlawful use or misuse, which was strictly prohibited under their terms of use and conditions of sale at the time Galaxy Gas products were sold.’
‘Both Cloud 9 and SBK International took immediate action out of an abundance of caution to remove Galaxy Gas products from retail shelves and distribution following of individuals misusing various nitrous oxide products,’ the statement continued.
The Daily Mail has reached out for comment from Cloud 9 Smoke Co. 28, LLC, Galaxy Gas, LLC, and SBK International, LLC.