Crime victim helps others cope in New Orleans

From Laura Maggi’s article in Nola.com: It took six months for NOPD detectives to arrest suspects Paul and
Cheryl Willis, Patrina Saporito’s longtime tenants who owed a year of
back rent. But Paul Willis, who was charged with two counts of
first-degree murder, died in October 2004 of a ruptured peptic ulcer at
Orleans Parish Prison.

Arson and obstruction of justice charges were dropped against
Cheryl Willis after she agreed to participate in a “restorative
justice” process overseen by a mediator, Preston said. In the
guidebook, Preston wrote about her experience of communicating with
Cheryl Willis, although she didn’t use her name, saying the process was
cathartic.

“I found this to be tougher and more emotional work than I
imagined, ” she wrote. “However, despite my resistance to it, there was
information I’m convinced I would never have received otherwise.”

Read the whole article.