Wish that the world was more like Donna Hobbs.
She just ended a torturous week in court as the person charged with killing her son more than three years ago was tried. We cannot imagine the agony of having to relive, through images, videos and testimony, the tragic and sudden death of a child — a death she meets every morning when she wakes up and every night when she goes to sleep.
But there she was, being strong for her son, Detective Kevin Collins, and being strong for the other Pine Bluff police officers who knew and respected and loved him.
At the end of it all, when a mother’s grief could have turned into hate, she was merciful.
At one time, the prosecution had wanted the death penalty for the defendant, KeShone Smith, who was only 19 when he was arrested. But that element became problematic in trying to get a jury seated, so it was decided, with Hobbs’ approval, to take the death option out of consideration.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“I prayed about it, and it worked out,” she said. “I think everybody deserves a chance to change. Death [of Smith] wasn’t going to bring Kevin back. Death wasn’t going to change [Smith] probably. His mother’s hurt. She’s hurting like I’m hurting. This may give them a chance to rebuild their relationship, to share that love with each other.”
Even though Smith, who was convicted of first-degree murder, didn’t apologize for his actions, Hobbs extended sympathy toward him.
“Whatever force is in him that’s allowing him to think negative things, I want him to think positive about himself and about other people, about his child growing up,” she said. “Sow good seeds. And I think rehabilitation, that’s what our system is built on. So while he’s there — I’m not saying he doesn’t know God — but get closer to God, closer to his family, love his kids, love himself.”
Not that Hobbs has found peace with the loss of her son. “No mother should have to bury their child,” she said, adding that the trial does not represent closure because there is no closure for the loss of a child.
It’s just that she put those feelings to the side as she extended a hand to Smith, giving him what he may not understand now is the kindest, most merciful gesture he will likely ever receive in his life. Perhaps he will not waste it.