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The Independent
11-08-2025
- The Independent
Moment woman hugs her husband's killer in court after hit-and-run guilty verdict
Showing now | News 00:25 Court cameras captured the extraordinary moment that a widow hugs her husband's hit-and-run killer in court. Regina Johnson, who was married to her late husband Charles Johnson for 50 years, shocked the Cherokee County courtroom when she embraced and forgave Joseph Tillman on Thursday (7 August). Tillman, 24, was under the influence of nitrous oxide when he fatally struck 78-year-old Charles off his e-bike in March 2024. The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 20 years behind bars. The unusual moment had Superior Court Judge Tony Baker in disbelief. 'I don't think I've ever seen the wife of a victim hug a defendant where they killed somebody,' he said. 05:06 03:47 04:43 04:42 06:32 12:25 17:05 03:25 14:11 12:18 30:24 16:08 17:41 18:22 13:43 12:41 07:11 08:32 05:45 05:35 08:02 06:42 05:23 07:08 07:40 08:56 13:49 10:57 07:53 19:31 04:07 11:19 07:30 07:54 05:23 05:35 09:47 06:28 06:23 07:35 08:03 11:54 08:21 06:38 07:25 04:31 07:30 03:34 17:05 03:51 04:18 06:26 04:30 03:35 03:45 07:34 02:03 03:22 02:15 02:22 02:21 01:43 01:42 01:45 10:44 03:44 07:42 09:22 06:11 07:50 06:21 02:19 10:42 06:27 07:23 06:35 More Behind The Headlines 12:18 11:50 09:03 13:07 01:52 00:20 00:50 00:30 00:08 02:21 00:33 00:20 00:49 00:33 01:00 00:31 00:54 01:08 01:35 00:47 00:35 00:31 00:29 00:21 01:04 01:09 00:41 00:10 00:31 00:29 01:27 00:48 00:35 00:19 05:06 01:02 03:29 03:07 03:07 03:24 01:36 00:42 01:26 00:32 00:31 02:00 00:40 00:58 04:23 04:26 01:01 01:07 15:55 16:33 16:06 15:01 15:16 01:16 00:36 00:48 01:08 More Saudi Green Initiative 01:12 01:23 01:24 Live
The Sun
10-08-2025
- The Sun
Incredible moment widow HUGS husband's hit & run killer & forgives him as he bursts into tears in court
THIS is the astonishing moment a woman embraces her husband's hit-and-run killer in court and tells him he is forgiven. Joseph Tillman, 24, was sentenced to 20 years behind bars after killing Charles Johnson in a hit-and-run. 6 6 6 Johnson was riding his bike on Towne Lake Parkway, Georgia at around 3:30pm on March 3 last year when he was fatally struck by a car. Charles - better known as Chuck - was rushed to hospital where he was treated for life-threatening injuries but tragically died a week later. Tillman later pleaded guilty to charges including homicide by vehicle, drinking under the influence, and reckless driving. Incredible footage taken in court shows the moment the 24-year-old breaks down in tears as the victim's wife, Regina Johnson, turns to embrace him. The two share a long hug, prompting tears among members of the courtroom, as Regina tell the young lad she forgives him. Tillman then whispered to Regina: "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," WSB-TV 2 reports. Watching on in disbelief, Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Tony Baker said: "I don't think I've ever seen the wife of a victim hug a defendant where they killed somebody." In an interview after the trial, Regina revealed she reached for her husband's killer 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," she said. The 24-year-old had been drinking at a sports bar and had bought whippets of Galaxy Gas - a dangerous nitrous oxide drug - before getting behind the wheel and passing out. After hitting Johnson, Tillman evaded the scene and another driver, who was also present at the time, was initially charged with the hit-and-run. Johnson has been sentenced to two decades in prison where will have to complete a two year inpatient rehab program, which could lead to suspended prison time. Speaking in court, 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.' While his defense lawyer, Paul Ghanouni, added: '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.' Tributes have since poured in for Chuck who had a "joy for life" and could always be seen with a wide smile on his face. One grieving resident said: "He always had a smile, a joy for life, and always a big heart. "I spent many hours with him and his family, always feeling welcome. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you." While another added: "So sorry for Chuck to have had been involved in such a tragic accident. Our sympathy to the family and may Chuck rest in peace." A third, who remembered Chuck for his generosity, said: "Chuck was a friend whose love of life, Jesus, family, theological discussions with me in various places in the world, and and gentle honesty has immeasurably enriched my life." The 78-year-old was a valued member of his community - serving in various ministries and helping in the local women's shelter. He was married to Regina for 50 years and leaves behind his two adored sons and daughter, and five cherished granddaughters. 6 6
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Yahoo
Woman Hugs the Man Who Killed Her Husband of 50 Years, Offering Forgiveness in Tearful Court Moment
Regina Johnson shared a tearful embrace with Joseph Tillman, who killed her husband in a hit-and-run, at his Aug. 7 sentencingNEED TO KNOW Regina Johnson hugged Joseph Tillman, the man who killed her husband in a hit-and-run, at his sentencing on Aug. 7 She also said she forgave Tillman, who was sentenced to 20 years, and he apologized Tillman was under the influence of nitrous oxide when he struck Regina's husband of 50 years, Chuck Johnson, in the 2024 hit-and-runAs a Georgia man was sentenced to 20 years for killing a man in a hit-and-run, the victim's wife did something that shocked even the judge. "I don't think I've ever seen the wife of a victim hug the defendant where they killed somebody," 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 of 50 years, Chuck Johnson, in a hit-and-run last year, the outlets reported. Tillman was under the influence of nitrous oxide when he struck 78-year-old Chuck, who was riding his electric bike, according to WSB-TV. The Georgia widow embraced Tillman, who pleaded guilty to charges related to her husband's death, in a Cherokee County courtroom on Thursday, Aug. 7, and wrapped her arm around his neck, footage shared by the Atlanta station shows. The pair hugged for several seconds, with Tillman red-faced and tearful when they pulled away from each other. In a whisper mid-embrace, Regina also told Tillman she forgives him, according to WSB-TV. In response, she said he whispered back, repeatedly apologizing: 'I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.' Tillman also apologized in an emotional statement during the sentencing. 'I pray that you hear my heart when I say I am truly, completely sorry,' he said, his voice quivering, per footage shared by the Atlanta news station. Regina said she hugged him because 'God told her he needed a mom hug,' according to WSB-TV. 'Joey doesn't know yet how much God loves him,' she told the outlet. '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, plus felony hit and run, making a false statement, DUI, and reckless driving in a non-negotiated plea, the Atlanta outlet reported, citing Cherokee County Assistant District Attorney Pete Lamb. He was sentenced to 20 years, with the first three in prison, ABC 7 Chicago and WSB-TV reported. The prison sentence was suspended on the condition that he complete a two-year inpatient rehab program, according to the outlets. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Chuck's daughter, Brittany McCarthy, was also in court for the Aug. 7 sentencing. In an emotional statement, she told Tillman, 'I will always be the daughter of a man that you killed,' per footage captured by WSB-TV. 'I will be the daughter whose heart you shattered, a life you forever changed because of your choice to do 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 that 'he's changed his way of life,' per WSB-TV, and 'seems like he's on a trajectory to continue to move forward with his life in a positive way.' Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
08-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Widow's incredible courtroom act of forgiveness for hit-and-run driver who killed her husband
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-bik e 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.' Regina Johnson's husband, Chuck Johnson (pictured right), 78, was tragically killed while riding an e-bike after then 24-year-old Tillman passed out behind the wheel and struck the rider on March 3 2024 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.
