A Sad Postscript To A Sad Story

Murderer killed in Winston-Salem

It’s been a while so many of you may not remember or may never have known that when he was in high school, former Wake Forest star Chris Paul’s grandfather, Nathaniel Jones, was viciously murdered. Paul famously scored exactly 61 points in his next high school game to honor his grandfather.

When his killer, then-15 year old Dorell Bray was convicted and facing a long jail sentence, young Paul was happy. As he matured though, Paul reconsidered and felt pity for the lives that were wasting behind bars. He said he forgave those involved in the crime - four others were convicted - and hated the idea of them spending their lives in prison. It’s more than a lot of people could conceive, frankly. Knowing someone you cared about died a horrible death and forgiving their killer? It’s a beautiful thing to be able to do but most people would have a hard time doing it. We really admire Paul for that.

Bray did spend about 12 ¹⁄₂ years in prison. Unfortunately he was he was found stabbed in a Winston-Salem parking lot and died of his injuries.

Arrested for Bray’s murder: 31-year-old Joseph Anthony Hannah. As this article says, he may be forgiven, but his crimes are not forgotten.

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