Woman who's face was CRUSHED by a TURKEY forgives assailant

[tk2kewl]

Plea deal reached in turkey toss case

BY ALFONSO A. CASTILLO
STAFF WRITER

August 16, 2005

Nine months after a Huntington teenager shattered nearly every bone in Victoria Ruvolo's face with a thrown turkey, she whispered words of consolation in his ear yesterday and stroked his head as he rested it on her shoulder.

The astounding scene of forgiveness took place moments after Ryan Cushing, 18, tearfully pleaded guilty to an assault that almost killed Ruvolo. Then he pleaded for his victim's forgiveness in the Riverhead courtroom, and quickly received it.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you," a sobbing Cushing told Ruvolo.

"It's OK," she said to him.

The emotional exchange left an impression.

"She has not only recovered remarkably," Suffolk prosecutor Peter Mayer said in court, "but she is a remarkable woman."

Prosecutors agreed to let Cushing plead guilty to second-degree assault. He'll receive 6 months in jail and 5 years' probation in exchange. Cushing once faced a maximum of 25 years, but prosecutors said Ruvolo's compassion sealed the deal.

more...

[Wetzelbill]

1. wow that was moving, what a woman nt

[tk2kewl]

2. it was big news around here when it happened...

and the kids were pretty much demonized. I hope this kid really does make something of himself.

[tk2kewl]

3. this sank too fast

:kick:

[tk2kewl]

4. one last try...

:kick:

[tblue37]

5. Kick.

Too many kids think of such actions as harmless pranks.

[Quakerfriend]

6. The power of forgiveness is so great.

I hope that he makes her proud as he goes forward in life.

She has done him the greatest favor.

[Midlodemocrat]

7. What a great story.

Forgiveness is a powerful thing. It does so much for the giver and the recipient.

[tk2kewl]

13. It seems to have made an impression on the kid...

I too really hope he can follow through.

[bertha katzenengel]

8. Good for her. That's wonderful. n/t

[bertha katzenengel]

9. oops

[wicket]

10. Bless her

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

11. Don't let * know that

He'll want to invade this place:

[rasputin1952]

12. I find it wonderful that this woman is so forgiving...and that the 18 yo

has a conscience.

There is good in this world, and it drops too quickly from sight when it comes about...:)

While this should have never happened in the first place, the end shows us that forgiveness and acceptance of responsibility has great rewards....O8)

[Catherine Vincent]

14. The article is right....

This is a remarkable woman.

[tk2kewl]

15. do you suppose she is a little left of center?

:shrug:

[Catherine Vincent]

18. I don't know what her political leanings but to be forgiving like that

is remarkable. No other way to describe it.

[yodermon]

16. repentance + forgiveness = healing

every little thing is making me tear up lately.. :cry:

[tk2kewl]

17. I think this kid has some more repenting to do before he has fully

earned the gift of forgiveness he has been given. I hope he follows through.

It is gives one hope to know that there are still some really good souls out there.

[gratuitous]

19. Reminds me of a case here in Oregon a few years ago

Drunk driver kills young child. Driver had a history of drunk driving and this tragedy seemed to be just a matter of time before it happened. The parents had every reason to want the guy locked up for a long time.

Turned out the driver had a son of his own who was not long for this world. He wanted to stay out of jail for a few months until his son died, and asked the court for a delay in beginning his sentence. The parents of the child he killed joined in the motion to the court, asking that the man be allowed to spend his son's last days with his father.

They didn't have to join the motion. They had every right to want to see the man deprived of the remaining time with his own son. And yet, they took another path.

[lpbk2713]

20. Twenty posts to this thread and not even one with the phrase

".... as God is my witness" in it?


Come on. You people are definitely slipping.

[Blue-Jay]

21. "I swear to God, I thought they could fly."

/old school

[LynneSin]

24. The actual quote is "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly"

One of the most classic episodes of sitcom ever!

[pitohui]

22. i'm sorry but i think she's a jerk

you don't let someone off that easy for smashing every bone in yr face

i think it's horrible that women are still supposed to blow it off when they're severely abused

[rocktivity]

23. An 18 year-old is old enough to know better

...(P)olice say Cushing, his cousin, Jack Cutrone, and a group of friends stole a credit card...then went on a shopping spree, buying video games, movies and a fresh 20-pound turkey.

..."While you were riding in Jack's car, did there come a time when you decided to throw the turkey out the rear passenger's side window?"...(Cushing was) asked. "Yes," Cushing said as his voice cracked.

The turkey crashed through Ruvolo's windshield...The impact bent her steering wheel and crushed bones in her jaw, cheeks and left eye socket. Ruvolo underwent eight hours of reconstructive surgery, needed a tracheotomy tube to breathe and had her jaw wired shut.

And he got SIX MONTHS? I'm all for forgiveness and contrition, but considering his age, I would have given him at least twice as much hard time AND probation. If the woman had died, everyone in that car would be facing a felony murder charge!

:headbang:
rocknation