PALMETTO BAY, Fla. – The parents of a South Florida middle school student who was stabbed to death in a bathroom stall nearly nine years ago talked about the book written about the incident and how they moved forward.
Maria and Jorge Gough's 14-year-old son, Jaime, was stabbed to death by Michael Hernandez, a fellow eight grader, in Feb. 2004. Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole plus an additional 30 years in 2008.
The couple appeared much different Thursday than they were six years ago when they last invited Local 10's Laurie Jennings into their home. In 2007, they said they were starting a new victims support group to help others and themselves.
The Oasis Group now has a large following, and has helped make Maria and Jorge Gough different people.
"We changed everything. She wanted his room because she loved that room," said Maria. "I want to tell the people in the book I am the evidence God exists. Without him, I'm not here today."
"I sometimes imagine what he would look like now," said Jorge. "He would be 23, yes, in college. All that goes through my mind sometimes."
The book, called "From Fighting to Forgiving: Learning to Let Go," reflects on how the couple moved forward.
"The story that they gave me was unbelievable," said James Wood, who wrote the book. "I realize the incident with their son, the murder wasn't the whole story. It's their story, how they came to Miami, how they met."