COMPASSION REMARKABLE
KATHY Devitt is a remarkable person. How many could find it in their hearts to “completely forgive” a person who shot them?
In this instance the gunman was Mongols bikie Mark James Graham, who showed no consideration for the safety of others when he pulled a gun in a crowded Gold Coast shopping centre in April 2012 and began firing.
His intended target was rival bikie Jacques Teamo. Graham succeeded in that regard, shooting Teamo in an arm. But Ms Devitt was also struck by a bullet in her hip.
It was an extraordinary situation correctly summed up by Justice Alan Wilson during sentencing in the Supreme Court in Brisbane. The judge said it remained a mystery why both men had armed themselves to go shopping with their families – Graham with a handgun and Teamo with a knife.
“When you saw each other, neither the presence of family nor of large numbers of bystanders discouraged you from a confrontation which resulted in Teamo and Ms Kathy Devitt, a person unknown to you, being shot,” he said.
Declaring such behaviour should be condemned, Justice Wilson jailed Graham for 12 years and three months. At the time Graham’s defence barrister tendered a letter of apology, saying Graham was remorseful, and also a cheque for $10,000 because Graham hoped she could use the money to assist with treatment costs. The judge however was critical of the defendant’s expressions of remorse, saying they had only come after his conviction.
Ms Devitt has proven many times she is made of stern stuff. She has continued with a passion for her sport, hockey, and has been philosophical about the incident, saying she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Such an attitude is to be admired, as is her courage. Her forgiveness is remarkable testament to the depth of her humanity – and is probably much more than Graham deserved, at least at the time of the crime.
If, however, he is now truly remorseful, then we can hope that some good will come from this terrible episode.
It had a big impact on Ms Devitt’s children but as she says, there was also an impact on Graham’s family – his little daughter in particular. With that in mind, we applaud her compassion.