Everyone knows that you must forgive others who have wronged you. BUT, there is a grieving process one must go through that takes time before you can reach that level. This is the second tragedy to hit the family. Was he thinking of his father's untimely death when he spoke? This is sooooo premature. He must have had nonstop counseling between talking to the press every 30 minutes and arranging the ceremonies. Where did he have the time?

Forgiveness is wonderful and our hearts should be open, but . . . . . is Mr. Barrios saying that this person should not be charged? He wants to pay high powered lawyers to defend Estrada? Does Mr. Barrios want his mother's killer to walk the streets so that he can kill someone else's mother?
This family needs to grieve before they can publicly state they have these feelings. Their mother died in an unexpected and horrific way. They are going through a range of emotions.
Having the ability to forgive comes after a long period of time, when one goes through anger, and questions why. There are many stages in the grieving process and these stages lead to acceptance, and finally, forgiveness. Then again, maybe Mr. Barrios is super-human as the previous comment alludes.

Maybe Mr. Barrios is Christ-like.

"Father forgive them, for the know not what they do . . ."

Jesus was fully human, and didn't have to go through a process to pray that prayer (or else went through it quickly). Because of his death and resurrection, through the Holy Spirit, his kind of life is birthed in us and he tells us that we can be "like him." This story isn't about setting a behavioral standard, as if to demand that everyone meet the standard and meet tragedy this way - this isn't something you can manufacture or produce through willpower. But I think rather than being premature, people like Mr. Barrios and the Amish who quickly forgave their children's killer have arrived at a place closer to where Jesus was and is in that area, than I have.

Well said, Karl. I hesitated to comment because I haven't experienced the tragedy that Mr. Barrios has.

I agree that there are stages of grief, but there are also miracles of grace.

I did think the point about the family working to set the killer free was a good one. But I sense that what they really want is for him to have a just defense, and for fair justice (meaning, a fair trial) to be done.

Imagine the impact of this on the killer's heart. Amazing.

A fair trial will NOT happen if the victim's family are involved in the defense of the accused. This is a conflict of interest. Should the defense "lose", and say, receive the death penalty, the family would be seen as "winning", in an eye for an eye, one life for one life view. There will be questions and speculation that the lawyers "didn't work hard enough" because there bill was being paid by the victim's family. Who would be calling the shots? Should the defense "win" and the accused be acquitted, then the high powered lawyers get a confessed murdered back into the streets and society. This is why there is a DA to handle these cases. The DA is there to protect the community and see that justice is served for us, the citizens of San Antonio. She can listen to the victim's family, but what if they suggest that he get counseling and that would make him all better? The perpetrator should have thought twice about his actions, ie what the consequences are to him and that of his family. A fair trial? The young man confessed to the action. Where does anyone see a trial in this? There is a trial when the person denies the act. So he will plead, "not guilty"? Then what? His legal team comes up with his defense to clear him. While it is sad that his family must live with knowing their son killed a defenseless, older woman who most likely could not defend herself, this is the path that this young man chose and he must live with the consequences of his actions.

If any of the citizens of SA are interested, read the affidavit that at SAPD have written about this horrendous individal, who killed wonderful, innocent, and giving woman. He thought nothing about leaving her ALIVE after shooting her with a bow and arrow, like hunting an animal, and then using her credit cards to purchase hair gel at the Shops at La Canterra. There is a real problem with the idea of forgiveness to this individual, who cannot even meet the standards of a human being. He was not taught to have any compassion for his fellow beings. I personally do not want this slime out in our community to harm others because he wants computers, hair gel and video games. GET A JOB!!!! His parents have not done their part in raising an individual who contributes to society.

Comparing Barrios to Christ!?????Please! He is a person with a business who is saying what he thinks he should say.,
Christ said to forgive those who knew not what they do to "HIM", Jesus Christ, because they did not understand that HE was the SON of GOD. So am to understand that the city of SA had Christ in their midst and Viola is a reincarnation of Mary???? Give us a break! This whole forgiveness is being spun by some Pr whiz, (TJ are you out there) who wants to make the family look good! Let's get real. I'm glad these aren't my kids.

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. But if you do get the chance, crucify the SOBs after a pro forma trial, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."

Anyone checking the IPs? I wonder if some of these different names are from the same commenter.

The guy's gonna get tried.
Let's ask ourselves why it is so awful to us that a victim might want to forgive someone.

Yeah, I'm kind of taken aback by some of what's been written here.

I have asked myself why it is so awful to me that the victim's family may want to forgive someone. I feel bad, but I'm not going to change my view. I am a Bible believing Christian. My pastor said that if someone breaks into my house with the intent to harm me, I have God's permission to kill him. I will still go to heaven. Estrada, living in Texas, knowing our gun laws, took that chance. He knew her and he broke into her house prepared to kill her silently with his bow. Shot her in the HEAD? For what? A joy ride in a midsized Mercedes? A minor shopping spree? How can the family forgive someone who brutally killed their precious mother and gave her the most horrifying moments in her life? It's much easier to forgive someone who has harmed you. It is so much more difficult to truly forgive someone who has harmed your family. Especially when that person was such a good person. Did her "goodness" get her killed? I'm serious and I want to know. This is the second killing in a month of a really good person. The first one was the doctor that was gunned down at work. If Barrios were my mom, I'd make sure that Estrada was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and then I'd forgive after a few years. I'd ask for everyone's prayers to help me get through this time and I would pray for his family, but I would not make them a part of mine! They created a monster.

Concerned, you reflect what I believe and your comment is on the mark. My mom and my aunts knew this lady well; they are all about the same age. When I first heard about this, I thought, "That could have been one of them" or anyone else who is vulnerable. There are people like this guy walking the streets of every city just looking for people like Mrs. Barrios. I do believe that her "goodness" may have gotten her killed but what I don't understand is why this kid just didn't go and ask her or her family for help if he was in need? If her son is offering so much money for his defense and are being so generous, I'm sure they would have helped him had he just asked. I believe that you are right about his parents creating a monster and maybe not knowing how to deal with him once he grew. They should have prayed for guidance and maybe a path would have been shown to them. Sadly, another path was taken.

When was your faith last tested? I have to admit, having known the Barrios family for about five years, when I first heard about this from a distraught family member I was floored. This woman held both of my children as babies, sat with my family as her own, in her place of business, and taught us what it meant to give to those less fortunate. My reaction was probably like most here, like every other tragedy we hear about, but arent personally touched by. "String him up!" "Eye for an Eye". Louis' words affected me more than any other preached sermon or gospal about the Lord's teachings. For those that doubt his sincerity, I truly pity you. You have lost out on a "real life" example of living the Savior's teachings. Louis has not called for this boy to be freed. No court in the land would ever do that. He is not doing this to promote his family's already successful business. Nor is he trying to make himself or his family larger than life angels on earth. What makes a true follower's words so hard for others to swallow? Perhaps an "eye for an eye" culture where we'd all be blind, might fit better into our idea of justice.

Amen, and well said.