Woman Hugs the Man Who Killed Her Husband of 50 Years, Offering Forgiveness in Tearful Court Moment

A Georgia courtroom witnessed an extraordinary moment during the sentencing of a man responsible for a deadly hit-and-run.

Regina Johnson, whose husband of 50 years, Chuck Johnson, was killed in the incident, stunned onlookers — including Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Tony Baker — when she embraced Joseph Tillman, the man convicted of his death.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the wife of a victim hug the defendant where they killed somebody,” Judge Baker remarked, according to ABC 7 Chicago and Atlanta’s WSB-TV.

Tillman admitted to being under the influence of nitrous oxide when he struck 78-year-old Chuck Johnson, who was riding his electric bike, WSB-TV reported.

During the Aug. 7 court hearing, Regina approached Tillman, who had pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to her husband’s death. She wrapped her arm around his neck and held him for several seconds. Footage shared by WSB-TV shows Tillman’s face red and tearful as they pulled away.

Mid-embrace, Regina told Tillman she forgave him. She said he responded quietly, apologizing repeatedly: “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Tillman also addressed the court in an emotional statement. “I pray that you hear my heart when I say I am truly, completely sorry,” he said, his voice trembling, according to WSB-TV.

Regina explained her decision to hug him by saying, “God told her he needed a mom hug.” She told WSB-TV, “Joey doesn’t know yet how much God loves him. Joey needs healing of things in his past, as we all do. And that is our heart and prayer.”

Tillman pleaded guilty to three counts of homicide by vehicle, as well as felony hit and run, making a false statement, DUI, and reckless driving, in what prosecutors described as a non-negotiated plea, WSB-TV reported, citing Cherokee County Assistant District Attorney Pete Lamb.

He was sentenced to 20 years, with three to be served in prison. The remainder was suspended on the condition that he complete a two-year inpatient rehabilitation program, according to ABC 7 Chicago and WSB-TV.

Chuck Johnson’s daughter, Brittany McCarthy, also spoke during the sentencing. “I will always be the daughter of a man that you killed,” she told Tillman, as captured on WSB-TV footage. “I will be the daughter whose heart you shattered, a life you forever changed because of your choice to do drugs while driving. You became a deadly weapon, and my father paid the price with his life.”

Tillman’s attorney, Paul Ghanouni, said his client “has changed his way of life” and appears to be “on a trajectory to continue to move forward… in a positive way,” according to WSB-TV.