Tough lessons as gruesome case concludes

A tragic court case came to a close last week in Independence, Mo. Kim L. Davis was spared the death penalty after being found guilty of the much-reported dragging death of 6-year-old Jake Robel in February 2000.

Prosecutors had pushed for the death penalty, but Davis' defense lawyers argued he didn't know the boy was entangled in his seat belt and hanging out the back door of the vehicle Davis stole from the parking lot of a sandwich shop. The ensuing high-speed chase resulted in the boy's gruesome death.

In addition to the jury's sentencing verdict, the boy's mother, Christy Robel, said she is ready to forgive Davis.

The lesson for the rest of us is simple: Never leave your children unattended in a vehicle -- and never leave the keys in the ignition.