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Everyone has important dates memorized: holidays, birthdays, significant events.. the list could
go on forever. One of my most important dates is April 12th, 2007. Due to a very tragic
event, my life was not the same after this date. On this night, my older brother, Michael,
was tragically murdered. As a student, I was never in trouble. I never
had a detention, and I made straight A's my entire life... so when my principal called
me into the office, I knew something was up. All I saw was a police officer, and my father
balling his eyes out. He could barely mumble the words "He's gone. They took my baby, your
brother." I asked my dad what on earth he was talking about. He was finally able to
inform me that my brother had been involved in a tragic accident. Over a year and a half
later came the "speedy" trial. It was here that I learned that Michael's death wasn't
an accident. One of his so called friends set him up to be robbed. Michael was known
to wear diamond earrings and have nice clothes and shoes. However, Michael was also 6'2''
and built. He played rugby and football his entire life, and was a varsity star all four
years. The man who was supposed to rob him was 5'8'' and weighed about 135 pounds. This
is where the gun came in. The man robbing him, Ebony Burt, was on a lot of drugs at
the time. He immediately noticed that Michael was in great shape. He also noticed that Michael
looked very clean cut. Ebony thought my brother was a cop, and that he was being set up. When
he pulled the gun on my brother, Michael tried to take the gun away from him. They wrested
around and a shot was fired into the wall. Unfortunately for my beloved brother, Ebony
Burt was able to get the gun. He shot my brother in the back of his neck while Michael was
on his knees. Nobody called an ambulance until it was much too late. Michael spent his last
hour suffering, his life stolen from him. The *** of Michael and the trial taught
me that no matter what, I must always find a place in my heart to forgive. Ebony Burt
laughed at my father's tears when my father was testifying about my brother's excellent
character. Ebony Burt is a man who would be very easy for me to hate. The majority of
my family members hate him; I have learned to let go of that hate though. My energy is
much better spent on love and compassion. I frequently pray that Ebony Burt will use
his time in prison to reflect on his actions but even if he doesn't, I will still be forgiving
of his actions.