HOUSTON – Their mother is in prison for killing their father, running him over repeatedly after catching him with another woman. But Brian and Bradley Harris are happy 4-year-old twins who are now being raised by their grandparents.
News2Houston's Cindy Garza sat down with Gerald and Mildred Harris in an exclusive interview.
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She asked them how the boys are coping.
"Do the boys know what happened? Do they know that Mommy killed Daddy?" Garza asked.
"They know that he was run over by a car," Gerald Harris said.
"They've been told that she had an accident and she's going to have to be in a time-out for a little bit and now they think she's getting treatments at a hospital," Mildred Harris said.
"Which one of the two boys is coping with it better?" Garza asked.
"Brian is a little happy-go-lucky and kind of, 'It's ok, it'll be alright.' He would tell his mother before the verdict, 'Put on your pretty face Mommy, Daddy's OK. He's in heaven and happy,'" Mildred Harris said.
"Bradley is more reserved. You have to watch him and if he makes a statement, you need to pay attention closely and ask him questions about it," Gerald Harris said. "Bradley made a statement the other day. He said, 'I wish I could die.' And that frightened me a little bit and I looked at him and said, 'Why would you want to do that, son?' And he said, 'So I can see my daddy."
Despite the tragic events that unfolded on July 24, 2002, the Harrises continue to stand behind their daughter-in-law.
They believe that their son's adultery was wrong and said that they do not condone his behavior.
"I think everyone wants to know how could you possibly defend someone who killed your son?" Garza said.
"If I did not believe that she did not intend to kill him, I couldn't do this," Mildred Harris said.
The Harrises said that it does not take away from the hurt, anger or resentment, but forgiveness is the only way to heal.
"When she married David, she became our daughter and we defend her because we love her and we have forgiven her. That's God's way of doing things," Mildred Harris said.
They said that they have also forgiven her for the boys. With their father gone, the Harrises would like to keep what's left of their family intact.
"Did you ever ask Clara, 'Why? What was going through your mind when you did this?'' Garza asked.
"Her desire was to try and explain to us what happened, where she was and what caused the events that led up to it. We tried to understand and somewhat did I guess, although I don't know how you understand something like that," Gerald Harris said.
"What keeps y'all going?" Garza asked.
"The little boys, God's strength. We have a lot of Christian friends and we describe it as being surrounded by angels," Gerald Harris said.
Since the courts have taken control of the estate, the boys are now out of their parent's home and living in their grandparents' house in Pearland.
They see a therapist on a regular basis and appear to be adapting as well as can be expected, according to the Harrises.
A Harris County jury sentenced Clara Harris to 20 years in prison after finding her guilty of murdering her orthodontist husband, David Harris, 44, on July 24. The incident occurred after a confrontation between Clara and David Harris and David's acknowledged lover, Gail Bridges, in the lobby of the Hilton Nasa Clear Lake, Nasa Road 1, in Nassau Bay.
Clara Harris was sentenced on her 11th wedding anniversary.
Previous Stories:
- May 7, 2003: Custody Battle Begins Over Harris Children
- February 20, 2003: Harris' Stepdaughter Sues Hotel, Detective Agency
- February 18, 2003: Hotel Official Fired After Testifying In Clara Harris Trial
- February 17, 2003: Clara Harris Says She Still Loves Her Dead Husband
- February 14, 2003: Jurors Send Clara Harris To Prison
- February 14, 2003: Jury Considers Punishment For Clara Harris
- February 13, 2003: Clara Harris Guilty, Sentencing Begins
- February 12, 2003: Jurors Deliberate Clara Harris Case
- February 12, 2003: Jurors Set To Begin Deliberations In Clara Harris Case
- February 11, 2003: Closing Arguments Wednesday In Harris Trial
- February 11, 2003: Jurors Told To Bring Toothbrushes In Clara Harris Trial
- February 10, 2003: Defense Rests In Clara Harris Trial
- February 10, 2003: Clara Harris Retakes Stand
- February 7, 2003: Harris: Didn't Mean To Run Over Husband
- February 5, 2003: Clara Harris' Attorney Collapses Outside Courtroom
- February 4, 2003: Harris' Lover Testifies About Relationship
- February 4, 2003: Defense Goes After Victim In Clara Harris Case
- January 31, 2003: Collision Expert Testifies About Harris' Death
- January 30, 2003: Accusations Fly After Harris Daughter Testifies
- January 30, 2003: State Rests In Clara Harris Case
- January 29, 2003: Harris' Daughter Testifies: 'She Meant To Kill Him'
- January 29, 2003: Stepdaughter To Testify In Clara Harris' Trial
- January 28, 2003: Harris Cries Uncontrollably, Removed From Trial
- January 27, 2003: Private Investigator Testifies In Clara Harris Trial
- January 27, 2003: Clara Harris Trial Enters Second Week
- January 23, 2003: Witnesses Describe Harris Running Over Husband
- January 22, 2003: Jury Seated In Clara Harris Trial
- January 22, 2003: Jury Selection Continues In Harris' Murder Trial
- January 21, 2003: Jurors To Be Picked For Clara Harris' Trial
- January 16, 2003: Harris' Stepdaughter's Remarks Spark Debate
- November 19, 2002: Audiotapes Allege Clara Harris Also Having Affair
- November 1, 2002: Harris Featured In Magazine Article
- October 18, 2002: Clara Harris Pleads Not Guilty
- October 10, 2002: Grand Jury Indicts Clara Harris
- September 18, 2002: Custody Battle Stems From High-Profile Murder
- August 23, 2002: Clara Harris' Murder Trial Set
- August 2, 2002: Slain Orthodontist's Daughter Files Suit
- July 31, 2002: P.I. Turns Over Video Of Dentist's Death
- July 29, 2002: Judge: Dentist To Remain Free
- July 26, 2002: Wife Free After Allegedly Running Over Husband
- July 25, 2002: Police: Wife Runs Over Cheating Husband