Kirk Blackard

Face to Face Kirk Blackard

Eighteen-year-old Keith Blackburn put his .25 caliber pistol to the side of Misty Wright's head and pulled the trigger. The bullet went through her gum, through her esophagus, and severed her carotid artery. He left her for dead. Keith was apprehended and charged with attempted murder. He denied everything, but was tried, convicted, and sentenced to twenty-one years in prison, largely on the basis of Misty's testimony. Misty was consumed by fear, hate, and vengeance; and suffered most of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Keith turned his life around and was released after nine years behind bars. He subsequently earned a Master of Divinity degree and became a prison chaplain in the Indiana prison system. Eighteen years after the shooting, Misty contacted him and forgave him. They have become friends and travel together around the country to jointly tell their story of crime, repentance, and forgiveness at churches, restorative justice conferences, in the media, and in other venues. They also work in programs to help victims of crime and prison inmates restore their broken lives. Face to Face: Our Story of Crime, Repentance, and Forgiveness tells their story, and in the process explores the intersection of repentance and forgiveness. It will appeal to all readers who enjoy an interesting read about hurt, struggle, and redemption. Its true story with all the conflict, emotion, and action of a good novel will appeal to readers of non-fiction and fiction alike.