Kevin Jones, the Berkeley graduate student who made an illegal left turn at a red light and got David Halberstam killed, has pleaded nolo contendere to a charge of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He'll get a sentence of 30 days, probably reduced to 5-10 and community service.

On the one hand, I think this guy should be locked up because his idiotic driving got a great writer killed.

On the other hand, this is something that he's going to have to live with the rest of his life, and that is a pretty serious punishment. To be an aspiring journalist, and then be indirectly responsible for the death of one of the great journalists of the 20th century—that will not be easy for Mr. Jones.

It reminds me of that scene in "Saving Private Ryan," in which Tom Hanks is dying at the end after sacrificing himself to save Private Ryan, and as he's dying, he says to Ryan (I'm paraphrasing), "Make it worth it."

In other words, do something with your life that justifies this loss.

One hopes Mr. Jones is able to rise to this challenge.