Still room for forgiveness

A few weeks ago, three years after a teen driver killed two girls in a tragic auto accident, the parents of one of the victims took courageous steps to help the community begin to heal.

Tim and Beth Stone, the parents of 14-year-old Sarah Stone, one of the girls who died, reached out to the family of the driver who killed her. But they failed to convince a jury that parents who hosted a teen party where alcohol was available also were responsible for their daughter's death. Stephen Brom-strup, 16, who caused the fatal crash, drank beer at a party hosted by John and Barbara O'Brien before the accident.

Now, the O'Briens have asked a judge to make the Stones pay $184,492 in legal fees and $16,350 in court costs. The Stones' lawyer, Guy Rubin of Stuart, said the Stones sued on behalf of their daughter's estate, which has no money, so the O'Briens' claims cannot be paid.

Mr. and Mrs. Stone have made peace with Bromstrup and his grieving parents, setting a powerful example. The O'Briens convinced a jury they were blameless. Since no money is available, their request for fees seems pointless. To follow the example, they should let it go.