Mar 25, 2006 10:56 am US/Eastern
Family Of Girl Paralyzed By Bullet Seeks Closure
by Beth Germano
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
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Kai Leigh Harriott was paralyzed by a stray bullet more than two years ago.
CBS
A little girl continues to amaze people, more than two years after she was paralyzed by a stray bullet. CBS4's Beth Germano spoke with Kai Leigh Harriott and her mother, Tonya David, as the man accused of pulling the trigger prepares to face justice.
The family has long since moved from the Dorchester triple-decker, where there are too many stairs and too many memories.
And as the trial begins for the man accused of leaving little Kai Leigh paralyzed, they hope to finally move on, in other ways.
Kai Leigh Harriott is now almost six years old.
"If I can spend the rest of my life with my daughter seeing her smile each and every day and have forgiveness in my heart, then it's a peaceful day," said David.
Forgiveness, she says, for the man, Anthony Warren, who goes on trial. He allegedly fired the stray bullet that hot July night in Dorchester, that struck little Kai Leigh Harriott and severed her spinal chord.
"It's going to be finished now and we can go on with our lives," said David.
But it's clear they have moved on from this intensive therapy to today where Kai Leigh is a playful young girl living life to the fullest, without the use of her legs.
"There's a lot of parents out there who wish they had their children who've been victims of violence, and I'm blessed to have Kai," said David. "I'm blessed she's here."
She's a little taller now, and proving to be a powerhouse at the wheel, developing upper body strength. Her mother says that night has taught the family about priorities. She hopes it has taught the man behind the bullet something, too.
"Whether he's freed or spends time in jail, that he will give back to the community," said David.
For Kai Leigh's mother, the focus has never been on the accused gunman, but her family. Still, she's prepared for the flood of memories the court date will bring back.
Jury selection in the shooting of Kai Leigh Harriott begins on Monday.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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