Life Sentence

Life, not death

Convicted murderer of 6-year-old boy has no chance of parole

Wednesday, October 3, 2001

By DARLA McFARLAND
The Examiner

The death of Jake Robel had a profound impact on communities in Eastern Jackson County and later became the rallying point for a new Missouri law requiring warrant checks for persons released from police custody. Below are reactions to the verdict and life sentence from local people impacted by the case.

"I think justice was served. We, the department, still have a great deal of sympathy for the victim's family. I hope this verdict brings them some peace."

Sgt. Terry Storey, supervisor of Independence Police detectives

"Let's just say that little Jake only lived six years. Even with the death penalty, Davis probably would have had 15 more years to live. I am disappointed but, at least with life in prison, he won't do it again."

Brad Byam, witness who helped to detain Kim L. Davis at the scene on the day of Jake's death

"It is the biggest relief (to be done with the case). The last seven days have been the longest of my life. I am glad it is over. I feel nothing but sorrow for Kim Davis' family but I am satisfied that he won't be walking the streets. He is going to have plenty of time to make his peace with God. That's what he needs to do now. We didn't really want him to die. It wouldn't have served any purpose."

Kim Davis, 35, Kansas City, is consoled by defense attorney William Shull as Davis begins to cry after the jury recommended a sentence of life without parole, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001, for Davis' first degree murder conviction in the dragging death of 6-year-old Jake Robel, Independence, Mo., during an attempted carjacking in Feb. 2000. Davis could have received the death penalty.

Shirley Pettie, mother of Kim L. Davis, 36, is consoled by family and friends as she cries after the jury returned a sentence recommendation of life without parole, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001, for her son's first degree murder conviction in the dragging death of 6-year-old Jake Robel, Independence, Mo., during an attempted carjacking in Feb. 2000.

Kim L. Davis will spend the rest of his life behind bars with the unexpected comfort of Christy Robel's forgiveness to keep him company.

Jurors on Tuesday decided that Davis would not be put to death for the murder of 6-year-old Jake Robel, instead sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Davis will remain in Jackson County Jail until his formal sentencing Nov. 16.

Following the sentencing verdict Tuesday, Christy Robel said she would accept Davis' apology, if offered, and has already forgiven him.

"For me to get to that point took a lot. But, I know my son, I know my family and I know my beliefs. I came to that decision (to forgive) some time ago," Robel said.

When she heard the verdict, Robel said she was happy for Davis' family.

"I didn't want to see another mother lose her child."

Davis' family cried and hugged each other in the courtroom after hearing that Davis would live. The family did not make any statement at the courthouse Tuesday.

Defense attorneys Chris Slusher and Bill Shull said that Davis and his family were very relieved and grateful for the jury's decision.

"It is just a tremendous relief. Justice was done and mercy was done," Shull said.

Shull said he was glad that the jury could set aside that graphic image of Jake's broken body and render an appropriate sentence.

"The images were so terrible. I knew it would be very difficult to overcome," Shull said. "I just had to ask the jury to look beyond that."

Jackson County Prosecutor Bob Beaird said the trial was a success, despite the failed bid for the death penalty.

"They (the jury) decided that the appropriate punishment was life in prison without parole and we concur with that," Beaird said. "When we started this trial, our intention was to pick a jury that would be fair. I think we did that and I think they gave the facts their full consideration."

Christy Robel said she felt justice had been served in the case and now wants to remember Jake for the way he lived, instead of for the way he died.

"I have waited a year and a half for this to be over, for the traumatic part of my son's life to be over. He was so much bigger than this," Robel said. "Now, I can start to focus on the good parts, the good memories I have from the six years I had with him."

Christy Robel, Independence, Mo., begins to cry during a press conference after the jury delivered its sentence recommendation, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001, in the trial against Kim Davis, 35, Kansas City, who was convicted of first degree murder in the dragging death of Robel's 6-year-old son Jake during an attempted carjacking in Feb. of 2000.

Jason A. Cook/The Examiner