Parents forgives man who killed son

CLARK COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) - "He was the light of my life," said Danese Christmas.

Fighting back tears, Danese and Jeff Christmas described their son Joe Christmas today in a Clark county court.  James Dilley hit and killed Joe Christmas on his motorcycle August 2012.  The two were traveling on the 700 block of West Jefferson Street, in New Carlisle.

Dilley was charged with vehicular manslaughter.  Wednesday morning at the request from Joe Christmas's family, a judge sentenced Dilley to no jail time, but he is responsible for paying Joe Christmas's family funeral expenses totaling more than $7,000.  Dilley must also do a year of community service.  The judge suspended his driver's license for two years.

"It's a tremendous relief because we feel that today there's a bit of closure. We strongly believe that this young man is going to have a difficult time ahead of him," said Jeff Christmas.