Son forgives father’s murderer 24 years later

In 1998, Randall Bagley shot and killed Donald Mitchell during a Maryland robbery. When Bagley asked for a sentence reduction 24 years later, Mitchell's son Idris stunned the courtroom by asking the judge to release him. The two recently reunited. Lester Holt shares more on this moving story of forgiveness.
» Subscribe to NBC News: nbcnews.to/Subs...
» Watch more NBC video: bit.ly/MoreNBCNews
NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that deliver compelling, diverse and engaging news stories. NBC News Digital features NBCNews.com, MSNBC.com, TODAY.com, Nightly News, Meet the Press, Dateline, and the existing apps and digital extensions of these respective properties. We deliver the best in breaking news, live video coverage, original journalism and segments from your favorite NBC News Shows.
Connect with NBC News Online!
NBC News App: smart.link/5d0...
Breaking News Alerts: link.nbcnews.c...
Visit NBCNews.Com: nbcnews.to/ReadNBC
Find NBC News on Facebook: nbcnews.to/LikeNBC
Follow NBC News on Twitter: nbcnews.to/Foll...
Get more of NBC News delivered to your inbox: nbcnews.com/newsletters
#NBCNews #Murder #Forgiveness

[@brendasteedman9647]

This is a beautiful story!

[@happy.proverbs.reader]

The Yale grad is very accomplished and he’s a true winner with no bitterness

[@yeah_right88]

What a well spoken guy. Better POV than I could have in this situation.

[@jasoncarter6294]

Forgiveness takes pure courage, it releases healing, and stops vengeance. Let the LORD do His work 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@ShortFuseFighting]

"the lord" is vengeful, petty and vindictive. he tried to genocide the entire human race multiple times, he cursed the entirety of mankind with original sin due to what the first TWO human beings allegedly did and hasnt forgiven us since.

[@johnosei5748]

The power of forgiveness alters the life of individuals for the best. Amazing!!!

[@ryelz2483]

This is the way we should be towards each other. Forgiveness

[@swaniejesadawaranont4313]

I've learned big from that. Thank Him for setting up the good example.

[@shiromidesilva7523]

His father would be proud od this young man. So are we to know he did not find a excuse to get into violence like some sob stories. credit to his family too. 🙏

[@Ravenous25]

Have me in tears

[@MrAveryBrown94]

This story brought tears, to my eyes. Thank you for your consistency in reporting (with integrity), Lester Holt. It’s deeply appreciated. 💛✨

[@sisterdoublehappiness9714]

I've come to believe that forgiving helps the forgiver as much or more than the person being forgiven.

[@rbrb5275]

Such a nice person. Be blessed

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Impressive. Both of them actually. But the son doing that blows my mind. He’s got more courage, strength and dignity than I could manage. And the killer genuinely comes across as a reformed man. Hope they both find peace in their lives.

[@sisterdoublehappiness9714]

The only thing that I value in Christianity is its doctrine on penitence and forgiving. People are capable of the most barbaric deeds. They are also capable of regretting and changing for the better.

[@jakettaj.gaines573]

Wow...I have so much to learn from this.

[@AnthonyD-yy2in]

I couldn't do it. My father gave me life.

[@RealWorldChristians]

yet your hatred and bitterness would ruin that same life your father gave you

[@johnt3ducati]

He is a better person than me. I would have begged the court to keep him locked up forever.

[@mariacosta4463]

Beautiful 🙏

[@BrendaAdelman]

OMG- very moving

[@052970]

Forgiveness is for things that already happened and you can’t change it cause it already happened so forgiveness is possible. Make sense?

[@sebastianwrites]

I hope this works out for the best for both of them.

[@martinnottsperfectcoins1930]

Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

[@deathsentence87]

I wouldn't I would demand my enemy drinks glue...

[@carribgirl007]

You probably have a lot of health issues.

[@deathsentence87]

@Chris Terry no it immobilized your entire body forever...

[@richbrookshire]

Idris is a beautiful spirit. What a deeply moving story.

[@adamfauhl8411]

Amazing. Lord, please lead these men. Amen.

[@driddick73]

He just got locked back up last week!!!

[@Mila-lu4mb]

He said free the homie 😮

[@1Animeculture]

The american prison is way too harsh honestly. I live in denmark where we have lighter punishments and no death sentence (thank god because 1-3% of deaths row convicts turn out to be innocent btw) we invest heavily in mental care, mental rehab and also make sure our convicts become constructive members of society.. our economic growth have also been based around the health of our people, the solid education and the security we have. We dont have meny convicts and everyone get a chance and we generally feel safe. We are not vengeful, and perpatuating the cycle of hatred by punishments and give them no more opportunity in life leads to criminal gangs and we dont want that. America treats prison like a "sweep it under the rug to go away" american prisons are so full.. and once the criminals are out they have nothing or nothing going for em, where can they go to? Criminal gangs. If you dont give criminals an opportunity AFTER THEIR PUNISHMENT WHERE THEY HAVE SERVED THE SENTENCE then what is the point of sentencing if they still cant do anything after? Too much rage and anguish fuel the good man, enough to where i can no longer call them a good man..

[@brendadurr5186]

Two lives can breathe a little easier.

[@claudettealexander5204]

God can change us if we put in our hearts to. I t is not easy but we can put the past behind us. The mind can do what we put in it

[@ikiga4385]

He does not deserve forgiveness. I would do him 10 times more worse what he did to my dad.

[@apprentessjgooden2263]

That's because you have no soul, the son does, he's not driven by anger vindictiveness, the power of forgiveness is real.

[@om8039]

Better to hear all this then the stupid Diddy stuff

[@Rolandjes37]

Scream it out you want to change ming's.

[@Monisworld0319]

That my grandfather

[@jrwynn49]

Nah… can’t back this one up. Dude should be in jail

[@elimaderak9758]

If I was the judge I would have kept him in prison. Forgiveness doesn't mean people should be punished.

[@sisterdoublehappiness9714]

No one said that. Get a grip.

[@elimaderak9758]

@@sisterdoublehappiness9714 I just said that. It's the truth.

[@sisterdoublehappiness9714]

@@elimaderak9758 What a hater. In your comment on a story about forgiveness, you can't resist spewing hate.

[@elimaderak9758]

@@sisterdoublehappiness9714 Just because you call me a hater doesn't mean it is true. I challenge you to explain how what I had said makes me guilty of "spewing hate". I don't hate anyone. I just believe that this particular murderer should have been left to rot in prison, that's all.

[@sisterdoublehappiness9714]

@@elimaderak9758 "rot in prison" Sounds pretty hateful to me. The worst bigots always say they're not prejudiced. The biggest haters always claim that they don't hate. I'll bet you're one of those people who scours the internet for crime stories just so you can screech, "Lock them up!" along with the other internet vigilantes.

[@may-beeart7930]

What is this man doing out of the pen?

[@michelledavis2004]

God has his way!! But God!

[@FunFusion4u]

This is what Islam says.

[@ricodrillininnyc]

I can assure you all this guy is a fake.. Not even 4 months after he got realesded he shot my dad, On 4th on july in portsmouth VA and he hasn't been caught.Not everyone deserves a second chance

[@may-beeart7930]

This man will cut your throat don't be alone with him. The greater the love the greater the grief. This man probably didn't know his daddy he certainly didn't love him very much.

[@sisterdoublehappiness9714]

Wow, you got all of that from a 4 minute video?

[@lizbettestewart3056]

@@sisterdoublehappiness9714 yes got more than I posted

[@sisterdoublehappiness9714]

@@lizbettestewart3056 Is lizbette really your name?

[@LAKERS4LIFEE69]

I couldn’t forgive him

[@MrZongee]

I would have helped him get parole to get justice on the outside