'I've forgiven you as well': Son reflects on probation ending 53 years to the day of George Wallace's attempted assassination
Exactly 53 years after attempting to assassinate former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, Arthur Bremer's probation is over.
In the spring of 1972, George Wallace's presidential campaign was on a roll. The Alabama governor was on the way to winning five Democratic primaries.
鈥淭here's no question that, I think he would have been the nominee or the Vice-Presidential nominee because of his strength,鈥� son George Wallace, Jr., said.
His son was a regular on the campaign trail. Between stops in mid-May, he had returned to the University of Alabama. Then on May 15, a friend showed up at his apartment with alarming news.
鈥淎 friend of mine walked in my room, and I felt the presence, and I woke up. He told me your father had been shot,鈥� Wallace, Jr. said.
Arthur Bremer was arrested after gunning down his father at a rally in Laurel, Maryland. Wallace was paralyzed from the waist down.
Wallace, Jr., took an emergency flight to visit the critically injured Alabama governor in the hospital.
鈥淚'll never forget it. He was a man. He'd been on death's door, and he knew it. The look in his eyes,鈥� Wallace, Jr., said.
Video below shows 米兰体育 13's preview coverage of this story and historical footage from the events.
His son said the chronic pain his father suffered softened him. Ultimately, the governor who fought so passionately against integration showed up at Martin Luther King, Jr.鈥檚 former Montgomery church seeking grace.
鈥淗e said, 鈥業 was raised to believe it was in the best interest of both races, but my conscience had told me I was wrong, and all I could do is ask you forgiveness,鈥欌� Wallace, Jr. said.
Three years before his death, Wallace sent his convicted shooter a letter from his Maryland prison.
"I love you. I have asked our heavenly father to touch your heart, and I hope that you will ask him for forgiveness of your sin so you can go to Heaven like I am going to heaven," he wrote in 1995.
鈥淚 asked him about it one night. How were you able to do this? And he said, 鈥極h, son, if I can't forgive him, the Lord will not forgive me,'鈥� Wallace, Jr., said.
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Bremer was released from prison in 2007 and remained in Maryland on probation until Thursday.
On the day Bremer鈥檚 punishment ended, we asked the son of the man he shot about his thoughts on grace for the shooter.
"My message to Arthur Bremmer would be that my father has forgiven you, and I've struggled with it, Arthur. But I've forgiven you as well,鈥� Wallace, Jr., said.
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