It's been on the news all Saturday and Sunday, and in the newspapers...
I just finished reading the story myself. That the young man who was convicted of killing comedian Bill Cosby's son, Ennis (age 27), in 1997, in Los Angeles, had made a confession that he is indeed guilty of the
crime.
Michael Markhasev, now 22 years old, and doing "life without the possibility of parole" for the slaying, wrote a letter on his own volition, asking that his appeal be stopped. The news reports I had heard, plus what I just finished reading, all say that the folks from the District Attorney's office in this California city were "stunned" by this turn of events, and by Mr. Markhasev's obviously genuinely repentant confession and actions.
Well, I am not stunned at all. For this is, once again, a splendid example of what Jesus Christ can do in a person's life. The article which I read from Long Island's NEWSDAY newspaper, quoted a portion of Mr. Markhasev's letter as follows: "More than anything I want to apologize to the victim's family. It is my duty as a Christian, and it is the least I can do after the great wickedness for which I am responsible."
I remember this tragic case. The slaying of Ennis Cosby was a terrible loss. He was a talented and beautiful human being. Surely his family misses him more than words could ever express. But what is evident is that, while in prison, Mr. Markhasev clearly had an encounter with Jesus Christ. Someone reached out to this young Russian and shared the Gospel with him. God touched this man's heart.
Thanks to some caring Christian who is unknown to the public - perhaps it was another inmate or a chaplain - but not only did Michael ask for forgiveness for his sins, he stepped forward in holy boldness and courage to, as he also wrote in his letter, "do the right thing" and confess to the District Attorney as well as apologize to the Cosby family.
The Cosby family can now get on with their lives and put this behind them. The Court of Appeals can now take this major case off their overloaded calendar, and the taxpayers in the State of California will save perhaps tens of thousands of dollars or more on legal costs, having to fight against Mr. Markhasev's appeal.
Plain and simple, this was a miracle! While the District Attorney's staff were left puzzled, all this should be easy to understand if one is a Christian. God reached down and touched the heart of a troubled young man in maximum security, and He made Michael's heart brand new.
I am now proud to call Michael Markhasev my brother! He did do the right thing. And Christians everywhere need to pray for the Cosbys.
D.B.
NEWSDAY, Saturday, February 10, 2001 (page A10).
crime.
Michael Markhasev, now 22 years old, and doing "life without the possibility of parole" for the slaying, wrote a letter on his own volition, asking that his appeal be stopped. The news reports I had heard, plus what I just finished reading, all say that the folks from the District Attorney's office in this California city were "stunned" by this turn of events, and by Mr. Markhasev's obviously genuinely repentant confession and actions.
Well, I am not stunned at all. For this is, once again, a splendid example of what Jesus Christ can do in a person's life. The article which I read from Long Island's NEWSDAY newspaper, quoted a portion of Mr. Markhasev's letter as follows: "More than anything I want to apologize to the victim's family. It is my duty as a Christian, and it is the least I can do after the great wickedness for which I am responsible."
I remember this tragic case. The slaying of Ennis Cosby was a terrible loss. He was a talented and beautiful human being. Surely his family misses him more than words could ever express. But what is evident is that, while in prison, Mr. Markhasev clearly had an encounter with Jesus Christ. Someone reached out to this young Russian and shared the Gospel with him. God touched this man's heart.
Thanks to some caring Christian who is unknown to the public - perhaps it was another inmate or a chaplain - but not only did Michael ask for forgiveness for his sins, he stepped forward in holy boldness and courage to, as he also wrote in his letter, "do the right thing" and confess to the District Attorney as well as apologize to the Cosby family.
The Cosby family can now get on with their lives and put this behind them. The Court of Appeals can now take this major case off their overloaded calendar, and the taxpayers in the State of California will save perhaps tens of thousands of dollars or more on legal costs, having to fight against Mr. Markhasev's appeal.
Plain and simple, this was a miracle! While the District Attorney's staff were left puzzled, all this should be easy to understand if one is a Christian. God reached down and touched the heart of a troubled young man in maximum security, and He made Michael's heart brand new.
I am now proud to call Michael Markhasev my brother! He did do the right thing. And Christians everywhere need to pray for the Cosbys.
D.B.
NEWSDAY, Saturday, February 10, 2001 (page A10).