To Be Broadcast: Friday, May 8, 2009

New York, NY - May 8, 2009 - INSIDE EDITION speaks exclusively with Chris Amato, a lawyer representing Thomas Culp, the man who shot his wife Connie pointblank in the face.  Connie Culp, who has publicly stated that she forgives her husband, received the world's first near-total face transplant last December.  Thomas Culp is currently serving a seven-year jail term for attempted murder; he'll be out in 2011. 

Amato tells INSIDE EDITION that Thomas did not mean to shoot Connie.

Amato: "It was an accident.  He never intended to hurt her at all."

Amato tells INSIDE EDITION that he thinks Thomas plans to reunite with Connie when he's out of jail.

Amato: "I believe Tom wants to be with her, yes...He still loves her."

Amato tells INSIDE EDITION that Thomas is aware of Connie's near-total face transplant.

Amato: "He's happy for her.  He told me she looked beautiful, he was glad for her."

Amato also tells INSIDE EDITION that Thomas struggles with what he has done to his wife.

Amato: "It's a struggle for him everyday."

Check local listings for times.

INSIDE EDITION is produced daily at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City and produced and distributed by CBS Television Distribution, a unit of CBS Corp.

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