News and Events
May 18, 2007 - Story Of Forgiveness Ends With Freedom
By THOMAS W. KRAUSE, The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 18, 2007
TAMPA - Justin Cabezas wasn't wearing orange jail garb on Thursday for two reasons: luck and Bruce Murakami.
In 2002, Cabezas was sentenced to two years of house arrest and eight years' probation for a 1998 auto wreck that killed Murakami's wife and daughter. On Thursday, Judge Ronald Ficarrotta released Cabezas from probation - five years early.
Cabezas, 27, is a free man.
That's not how it was supposed to happen.
Cabezas faced up to 30 years in prison; the guideline sentence called for 22 years behind bars. The fact that Cabezas avoided incarceration is almost unheard of in a vehicular homicide case, his attorney, Eddie Suarez, said Thursday.
Ficarrotta is not known to impose light sentences. Suarez said the judge was swayed by Murakami's forgiveness and his request for leniency.
Murakami and Cabezas have formed a bond. For five years, the two have traveled together to schools across the country, speaking about the drag race that ended the lives of Cindy Murakami, 45, and her daughter, Chelsea, 11.
'This is a testament to the power of mercy instead of the power of retribution,' Suarez said. 'If not for the friendship of these two men, Justin would probably be sitting in prison somewhere. Mr. Murakami would have no satisfaction that anything good came out of the death of his wife and daughter.'
Ficarrotta himself got the chance to see one of their presentations and said he was impressed. He also said he hoped Cabezas realizes how lucky he is not to be one of the many young men imprisoned for a similar lack of forethought.
Cabezas said he is well-aware of his luck and is forever grateful to Murakami.
'Whenever we do our speeches, I always thank Bruce for allowing me to be there,' he said outside the courthouse.
Then, Cabezas offered advice for anyone who would listen. 'I know I got lucky,' he said. 'Don't go on luck to get you by.'
Events Became A TV Movie
The relationship between the Murakami and Cabezas was featured in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie 'Crossroads' that aired in April on CBS. Former Superman Dean Cain played Murakami.
The circumstances seem made for TV. On Nov. 16, 1998, Cabezas was 19 and racing his Dodge Intrepid against a man in a white Ford Mustang. As they sped down Hillsborough Avenue, Cindy Murakami was pulling her Ford Aerostar van out of Colony Crossings Plaza.
One estimate suggested Cabezas was driving 65 mph in a 55 mph zone. Subsequent estimates put his speed at 78 mph to 86 mph.
After the deaths of Cindy and Chelsea, prosecutors were initially reluctant to file charges, saying the case would be difficult to win. Murakami pressed forward. He hired a lawyer and a traffic engineer then lobbied State Attorney Mark Ober. More than two years later, Cabezas was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.
In an attempt to avoid a trial, Cabezas' attorney tried to arrange for Cabezas and Murakami to meet. After much prayer and personal insight, Murakami agreed. Cabezas apologized, and Murakami accepted. When Cabezas pleaded to manslaughter, Murakami spoke on his behalf. He said Cabezas was forgiven.
After court Thursday, Cabezas said the TV movie has helped expand their effort to speak to young people. The pair has gotten more than 200 calls from organizations requesting them to speak.
The speaking engagements will be easier to arrange now that Cabezas is off probation. While under court control, every time he had to leave town, his probation officer had to fill out paperwork. Occasionally, he needed a judge's order.
Gretl Plessinger, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, said Cabezas had no violations of his probation. He has complied with all the court's orders, including asking for permission each time he was to travel. While away, he kept in regular contact with his probation officer.
He also had to ask for special permission to give speeches with Murakami.
'In the court order for probation, one of the standard conditions is to not have contact with the victim or the victim's family,' Plessinger said. 'In that sense, this is unique.'
Cabezas 'Very Appreciative'
Cabezas said he was glad to be done with the court system.
'This is a great day for me,' he said. 'I'm very appreciative of everything everyone has done for me.'
Murakami said he's been impressed by Cabezas' speaking abilities and work ethic.
'Justin is excellent when he gets in front of kids,' Murakami said. 'He was given 300 hours of community service. He's probably done 3,000. He never complained once.'
Returning to the courthouse where their relationship began was surreal, Murakami said.
'A lot of emotions came back to me.'
Reporter Sherri Ackerman contributed to this report.
Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.
