A display of Christian compassion had most everyone in a Richmond County courtroom in tears Thursday morning, and Judge Michael Annis said he'd never in his legal career seen anyone so caring and gracious.

First, Rosa Lovett asked the judge to show mercy on the 19-year-old man involved in the death of her sister. Then, when the defendant's grandfather addressed the judge and seemed on the verge of breaking down, Ms. Lovett crossed the courtroom and embraced him, holding him and patting his back while he finished talking.

"We all make mistakes in life," Ms. Lovett told Superior Court Judge Annis. "But there's nothing that I can do or anyone can do to bring her back, and I wouldn't want someone to put my child away for the rest of their life because of one bad choice."

Michael Guido made his bad choice on March 1 as he sat in the passenger seat of a Chevrolet Blazer that a Richmond County sheriff's deputy had pulled over for running a red light on Broad Street. His public defender, Bryan Grantham, said he was joking when he egged on the driver, Jamie Ray Clark, 20, to bolt.

A high-speed chase ended in a fatal crash on Gordon Highway at the intersection of Old Savannah Road, the Blazer striking a Pontiac Bonneville making a left turn. Laura Felder, a 42-year-old Kellogg's employee riding in the Pontiac with her boyfriend, died at the scene. Her sister said she left behind 21- and 19-year-old sons, an 18-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old grandson.

The chase became controversial after WRDW-TV (Channel 12) broadcast a recording of scanner chatter during the chase, in which a supervisor could be heard telling Deputy Anthony Gregory to break off pursuit. Sheriff Ronnie Strength has stood by his deputy, saying there's no evidence he heard the order over his siren.

A grand jury indicted Mr. Clark and Mr. Guido on murder, first-degree vehicular homicide and fleeing and attempting to elude. Mr. Clark, whose case is still pending, faces other traffic charges including driving under the influence of marijuana, cocaine and benzodiazepines.

As part of a plea bargain, the District Attorney's Office agreed to drop the murder charge against Mr. Guido and recommend a 15-year sentence, Assistant District Attorney John Markwalter said. Judge Annis sentenced Mr. Guido to 20 years -- three in confinement and 17 on probation.

Ms. Lovett came to court wearing a T-shirt with her sister's picture on it. She said afterward that their mother was a Pentecostal minister, and her upbringing has helped her cope with what happened.

"I forgive them, because I know it wasn't intentional," she told the judge. "I don't hate them. I have no malice against them."

Mr. Guido's family then spoke on his behalf before sentencing. When his grandfather, Tom Piper, became emotional and faltered, Ms. Lovett came and held him. She hugged other family members, and after the hearing she embraced a teary-eyed Mr. Guido, who wore dark green jail duds and stood shackled at his wrists and ankles.

"I'm so very sorry," he told her.

As part of parole conditions, Judge Annis said Mr. Guido must pursue a GED, be in school or working at all times, get psychiatric treatment, be drug tested and testify in court if needed.

Mr. Guido must also perform 1,000 hours of community service, talking to youth groups and school organizations about staying in school, driving responsibly and the consequences of bad decisions.

"So that you can be a living example of what can happen," the judge said.