>>> TONIGHT, THE GROWING POLITICAL FIRESTORM OVER LAWMAKER EXPULSIONS IN TENNESSEE. OUTRAGE AFTER TWO BLAKE LEGISLATORS WERE EXPELLED FOR TRANSPORTING DEBATE OVER GUN VIOLENCE WHILE A WHITE MEMBER KEPT HER SEAT WREB, SHE SAYS, BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF HER SKIN. REPUBLICANS PUSHING BACK. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS MAKING A QUICKLY ARRANGED VISIT TO NASHVILLE, PLUS THE NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT IF THE EXPELLED LAWMAKERS COULD BE REINSTATED. >>> SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS SPEAKING OUT SAYING HE DID NOTHING WRONG BY ACCEPTING AND NOT DISCLOSING LUXURY TRIPS OVER TWO DECADES PAID FOR BY A REPUBLICAN MEGA-DONOR. >>> VIOLENCE ESCALATING IN THE MIDDLE EAST. TWO ISRAELI SISTERS SHOT TO DEATH IN THEIR CAR IN THE WEST BANK. A NEW GAZA. >>> THE SHOCKING MOMENT AT THE MASTERS. HIGH WINDS TOPPLING THREE TREES FALL NEXT TO SPECTATORS. >>> THE NEWLY RELEASED SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWING THE TECH EXECUTIVE PLEADING FOR HELP MOMENTS AFTER HE WAS STABBED. >>> AN URGE WANT NEW WARNING TO PARENTS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF SLEEPING WITH THEIR IFFANT. >>> AND THE STUNNING ACT OF FORGIVENESS. MY STORY ABOUT THE MAN WHO CALLED FOR THE RELEASE OF HIS FATHER'S KILLER. >> Announcer: THIS IS NBC "NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH LESTER HOLT. >>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME, EVERYONE. THE EXPULSION FROM OFFICE OF TWO TENNESSEE DEMOCRATIC STATE REPS OVER THEIR BOISTEROUS CALL FOR GUN SAFETY REFORM HAS SPARKED NATIONAL OUTRAGE ON THE LEFT AND LEFT TENNESSEE HOUSE REPUBLICANS DEFENDING AGAINST ACCUSATIONS OF UNEQUAL TREATMENT AND RACIAL MOTIVATIONS. THE GOP'S SUPER MAJORITY VOTING OUT TWO BLACK STATE REPRESENTATIVES WHILE SPARING A WHITE FEMALE LAWMAKER WHO FACED THE SAME ACCUSATIONS, ACCUSED OF LEADING A DISORDERLY PROTEST FOR STRONGER GUN LAWS IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER LAST WEEK. THE DEATHS OF SIX PEOPLE AT A NASHVILLE SCHOOL SHOOTING LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO HAS SPARKED A WAVE OF ACTIVISM IN NASHVILLE AND ELSEWHERE, AND DEMANDS FOR STRICTER GUN MEASURES. BUT THE EXTRAORDINARY STEP OF SELECTIVELY REMOVING OUTSPOKEN LAWMAKERS HAS CAST A CHILL BEING FELT ALL THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE TONIGHT. PRISCILLA THOMPSON NOW HAS LATE DETAILS FROM NASHVILLE. >> Reporter: TONIGHT GROWING FALLOUT IN TENNESSEE AFTER LAST NIGHT'S HISTORIC VOTE. TWO BLACK LAWMAKERS WERE EXPELLED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE WHILE REPRESENTATIVE GLORIA JOHNSON WAS NOT. >> OTHER THAN ME BEING A WHITE LADY I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IT WAS. >> Reporter: THE TRIO WAS ACCUSED OF BREAKING HOUSE RULES AND DISORDERLY BEHAVIOR AFTER PROTESTING FOR STRICTER GUN LAWS IN THE WELL OF THE CHAMBER, DAYS AFTER A NASHVILLE SCHOOL SHOOTING LEFT SIX PEOPLE DEAD. REPUBLICAN LOWELL RUSSELL WHO VOTED TO EXPEL REPRESENTATIVES JUSTIN JONES AND JUSTIN PEARSON BUT NOT JOHNSON SAYS JOHNSON'S ACTIONS WERE NOT AS SEVERE AND DID NOT WARRANT AN EXPULSION. >> SHE DIDN'T SHOUT AND SHE DIDN'T BRING THE MEGAPHONE IN. SHE DIDN'T USE THE MEG APHONE. SHE DIDN'T ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE IN THE GALLERY. >> Reporter: BUT JONES SAYS THIS TYPE OF ACTION HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN AGAINST WHITE COLLEAGUES WHO HE SAYS HAS COMMITTED FAR MORE SEVERE INFRACTIONS. >> ONE AN ADMITTED CHILD MOESTER, ONE CONVICT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ONEPEDE IN ANOTHER'S CHAIR AND NONE OF THEM WERE EVER EXPELLED. >> Reporter: A CONCERN ECHOED BY PEARSON. >> IF RULES BE THE END-ALL AND BE ALL OF THIS HOUSE THEN THAT NEEDS TO APPLY ECWE EQUITABLY TO EVERYONE. >> Reporter: JONES CALLING IT A POLITICAL LYNCHING. >> THE FAITH IN WHICH THE KU KLUX KLAN WAS FOUNDED IS NOW ATTEMPTING ANOTHER POWER GRAB BY SILENCING THE TWO YOUNGEST BLACK REPRESENTATIVES. >> Reporter: REPUBLICANS SAY UNEQUIVOCALLY THIS WAS NOT ABOUT RACE. >> OUR MEMBERS LITERALLY DIDN'T LOOK AT THE ETHNICITY OF THE MEMBERS THAT WERE UP FOR EXPULSION. >> Reporter: STILL, THEIR ACTIONS ARE DRAWING WIDESPREAD CONDEMNATION FROM DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING PRESIDENT BIDEN CALLING THE EXPULSIONS SHOCKING, UNDEMOCRATIC, AND WITHOUT PRES DEPENDENT. THOSE EXPELLED LAWMAKERS' FUTURES COULD SOON BE BACK IN THE HANDS OF VOTERS DETERMINED BY A SPECIAL ELECTION SHOULD THEY DECIDE TO RUN AGAIN. >> PRISCILLA JOINS ME NOW. AS WE AWAIT THAT SPECIAL ELECTION, PRISCILLA, WHAT HAPPENS NOW? >> Reporter: LESTER, COUNTIES WILL APPOINT INTERIM REPRESENTATIVES IN THE MEANTIME. ALREADY NASHVILLE'S METRO COUNCIL HAS SCHEDULED A MEETING FOR MONDAY WHERE JUSTIN JONES IS EXPECTED TO BE REINSTATED IMMEDIATELY. AND WE'RE GETTING LATE WORD TONIGHT THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS SPOKEN WITH ALL THREE OF THOSE DEMOCRATS INVITING THEM TO THE WHITE HOUSE. LESTER? >> PRISCILLA THOMPSON, THANK YOU. >>> ESCALATING VIOLENCE TONIGHT IN THE MIDDLE EAST WITH DEADLY ATTACKS IN THE TEL AVIV AND THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK AND ISRAEL STRIKING BACK AT PALESTINIAN MILITANTS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON AND GAZA. RAF SANCHEZ IS IN ISRAEL WITH LATE DETAILS. >> Reporter: TONIGHT A NEW WAVE OF ATTACKS SHAKING ISRAEL. IN TEL AVIV ISRAELI POLICE SAY THEY SHOT DEAD AN ATTACKER WHO RAMMED HIS CAR INTO TOURISTS ON A CITY PROMENADE KILLING AT LEAST ONE PERSON. HOURS EARLIER TWO ISRAELI SISTERS KILLED IN A SUSPECTED PALESTINIAN AMBUSH IN THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK. THEIR MOTHER FLOWN TO THE HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE. ISRAEL'S PRIME MINISTER AT THE SCENE OF THE ATTACK WARNING OUR ENEMIES ARE ONCE AGAIN TESTING US. THE WAVE OF VIOLENCE SWEEPING THE HOLY LANDS, DARKENING WHAT SHOULD BE A SACRED WEEK FOR BELIEVERS CELEBRATING RAMADAN, PASSOVER AND EASTER. IT BEGAN ON WEDNESDAY WITH ISRAELI FORCES STORMING THE AL-AQSA MOSQUE IN JERUSALEM, ISLAM'S THIRD HOLIEST SITE. AND THIS MORNING ISRAELI JETS POUNDING TARGETS IN GAZA AND UNUSUALLY SOUTHERN LEBANON. AIR STRIKES ACROSS TWO REGIONS AIMED AT THE HAMAS MILITANT GROUP, WHICH ISRAEL SAYS WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR A BARRAGE OF ROCKETS FROM LEBANON, THE LARGEST IN NEARLY 20 YEARS. U.N. PEACE KEEPERS IN LEBANON ASSESSING THE DAMAGE AND TRYING TO PREVENT A RUSH TO ALL OUT WAR. AND ISRAELI POLICE SAY ALL THE VICTIMS IN TEL AVIV TONIGHT WERE TOURISTS VISITING DURING THIS HOLY PERIOD. MEANWHILE, A MAJOR MAN-HUNT IS UNDER WAY FOR THE GUNMAN WHO KILLED THOSE TWO SISTERS. LESTER? >> RAF SANCHEZ TONIGHT, THANK YOU. >>> ALSO THIS EVENING SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS SAID HE VIOLATED NO DISCLOSURE LAWS BY NOT REPORTING LUXURY VACATIONS HE REPORTEDLY TOOK FOR YEARS PAID FOR BY A TOP REPUBLICAN DONOR WHO HE SAYS IS A LONG-TIME FAMILY FRIEND. LAURA JARRETT HAS LATE DETAILS. >> Reporter: TONIGHT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS BREAKING HIS SILENCE AFTER A REPORT DETAILED HIS SECRET LAVISH VACATIONS PAID FOR BY A TOP REPUBLICAN DONOR. THOMAS WRITES REAL ESTATE MOGUL HARLAN CROW IS AMONG HIS DEAREST FRIENDS AND THAT AULCOLLEAGUES ADVISED HIM THIS SORT OF CLOSE HOSPITALITY FROM PERSONAL FRIENDS WHO DID NOT HAVE BUSINESS BEFORE THE COURT DID NOT NEED TO BE REPORTED. ACCORDING TO ProPUBLICA THOMAS JOINED CROW ON SBANGY TRIPS FOR OVER TWO DECADES INCLUDING TO THIS LAKESIDE RESORT, TAKING PRIVATE JET RIDES AND ISLAND HOPPING IN INDONESIA ON THIS SUPER YACHT, VIRTUALLY NONE OF WHICH WAS DISCLOSED. THE LUXURY TRAVEL A STARK CONTRAST TO THE MORE MODEST IMAGE THE CONSERVATIVE JUSTICE HAS PROJECTED. >> I PREFER GOING ACROSS THE RURAL AREAS. I PREFER THE RV PARKS. I PREFER THE WAL-MART PARKING LOTS TO THE BEACHES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THERE'S SOMETHING NORMAL TO ME ABOUT IT. >> Reporter: NBC NEWS HAS NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED THE ProPUBLICA REPORT WHICH CLAIMS THOMAS' FELLOW TRAVELERS INCLUDE GOP DONORS AND CORPORATE EXECUTIVES. >> THERE'S ALSO AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS ON THESE TRIPS AND WHO GETS INVITED ALONG. >> Reporter: CROW SAYS THOMAS NEVER ASKED FOR ANY OF HIS HOSPITALITY, AND HE'S NEVER SOUGHT TO INFLUENCE JUSTICE THOMAS ON ANY LEGAL OR POLITICAL ISSUE. THE SUPREME COURT DOES NOT HAVE AN ETHICS CODE, AND UNDER FEDERAL LAW JUSTICES DON'T HAVE IT DISCLOSE MEALS, STAYS AT PRIVATE HOMES, OTHER OTHER ENTERTAINMENT THAT IS PERSONAL HOSPITALITY. TONIGHT THOMAS SAYS HE ALWAYS SOUGHT TO COMPLY WITH DISCLOSURE GUIDELINES AND INTENDS TO FOLLOW NEW RULES THAT TRIPS ON PRIVATE JETS MUST BE REPORTED. >> AND, LAURA, THERE ARE CALLS FOR MORE RULE CHANGES NOW. >> THAT'S RIGHT, LESTER. DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS WANT TO PASS A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE COURT TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL CODE OF CONDUCT, BUT THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAYS THEY DON'T NEED ONE, EFFECTIVELY LEAVING HIS COLLEAGUES TO POLICE THEMSELVES. >> AND LAURA, WE'RE ALSO WATCHING SOME BREAKING NEWS ABOUT A HIGH STAKES LAWSUIT IN TEXAS OVER THE ABORTION PILL. WHAT DO YOU KNOW? >> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT, LESTER. THIS JUST COMING DOWN MINUTES AGO. THIS DECISION A PARTIAL VICTORY FOR A GROUP OF ANTI-ABORTION ADVOCATES AND DOCTORS THAT HAD ASKED A FEDERAL JUDGE TO BLOCK ACCESS TO THE DRUG MOST WIDELY USED TO INDUCE ABORTIONS. NOW, THE PLAINTIFFS HAD ASKED THAT JUDGE TO REMOVE IT FROM THE MARKET ENTIRELY, NATIONWIDE IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE JUDGE DIDN'T GO THAT FAR. INSTEAD HE HAS SUSPENDED THE ORIGINAL APPROVAL OF THE DRUG, ACKNOWLEDGING THE PLAINTIFFS DO HAVE A RIGHT TO SUE IN THIS CASE, ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR ARGUMENTS ABOUT SAFETY CONCERNS. BUT THERE'S NO IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF THIS RULING. THE JUDGE IS INSTEAD GIVING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SEVEN DAYS TO APPEAL, SOMETHING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS ALMOST CERTAINLY GOING TO DO VERY QUICKLY. >> LAURA JARRETT, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT. >>> ON THE ISSUE OF ABORTION IN IDAHO DOCTORS ARE FACING DIFFICULT DECISIONS, SOME CHOOSING TO LEAVE THE STATE DUE TO ITS RESTRICTIVE ABORTION LAWS. KRISTEN DAHLGREN EXPLAINS. >> Reporter: NOT FAR FROM IDAHO'S CAPITOL BUILDING DR. KYLIE COOPER AND HER FAMILY ARE PACKING UP AND MOVING OUT OF THE STATE. THE HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY SPECIALIST SAYS SHE CAN NO LONGER SAFELY PRACTICE UNDER ONE OF THE NATION'S RESTRICTIVE ABORTION BANS. >> THE HUSBAND AND I ARE FINDING OURSELVES HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT WE WOULD DO IF I WERE CHARGED WITH A FELONY. >> Reporter: IDAHO ONLY HAS EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE, INCEST, OR AVERTING THE MOTHER'S DEATH. >> DO I MAKE THE MEDICALLY APPROPRIATE DECISION AND COMMIT A FELONY, OR DO I FOLLOW THE LAW AND THEN WATCH AS THIS PERSON IN FRONT OF ME GETS SICKER AND SICKER? >> Reporter: A RECENT SURVEY SHOWS ABOUT HALF OF OB/GYNs IN IDAHO ARE CONSIDERING LEAVING THE STATE IN THE NEXT YEAR. ALL BUT TWO OF THOSE POLLS SAY THE STATE'S ABORTION BAN IS THE REASON. SO YOU DON'T THINK DOCTORS ARE LEAVING THE STATE? >> I DON'T THINK THERE'S A HUGE OUTFLOW OF DOCTORS. >> Reporter: STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL RAUL LAB BRUDER. >> I THINK THEY NEED MORE EDUCATION. >> Reporter: SO YOU'RE SAYING THE DOCTORS ARE MISINFORMED. >> I THINK I'VE HEARD A LOT OF THINGS THAT BORDERS ON MISINFORMATION. BUT I THINK DOCTORS ARE SAFE AS LONG AS THEY'RE FOLLOWING THE LAW. >> Reporter: MANY DOCTORS SAY THE LAW CAN BE CONFUSING. IN FACT JUST HOURS AFTER TALKING TO US HE WITHDREW A WIDELY CIRCULATED LETTER TO A STATE SENATOR IN WHICH HE SAID THE LAW PROHIBITS DOCTORS FROM PROVIDING ABORTION PILLS OR REFERRING WOMEN OUT-OF-STATE FOR ABORTIONS, NOW SAYING IT WAS NOT INTENDED AS A GUIDANCE DOCUMENT AND AN UPDATED LAW MADE IT MOOT. FOR DR. COOPER IT'S A HARD DAY LEAVING PATIENTS LIKE THE ONE WHO RECENTLY ASKED -- >> IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO BE PREGNANT IN IDAHO? AND MY UNEQUIVOCAL ANSWER WAS, NO, IT'S NOT. >> Reporter: BUT SHE DOESN'T THINK IT'S SAFE FOR DOCTORS EITHER. KRISTEN DAHLGREN, NBC NEWS, BOISE, IDAHO. >>> WE'LL BNAMENT PLAY WAS SUSPENDED AND THE GROUNDS EVACUATED BECAUSE OF DANGEROUSLY HIGH WINDS, LIGHTENING, AND APPROACHING THUNDERSTORMS. >>> POLICE IN SAN FRANCISCO ARE COMBING THROUGH DISTURBING NEWLY RELEASED SURVEILLANCE VIDEO HOPING TO FIND NEW CLUES IN THE STABBING DEATH THIS WEEK OF A SILICON VALLEY TECH TITAN. MIGUEL ALMAGUER REPORTS. >> Reporter: THIS CHILLING SURVEILLANCE VIDEO COULD BE A KEY PIECE OF EVIDENCE. THEDAILYMAIL.COM, WHICH OBTAINED CCTV, SAYS AFTER TECH EXECUTIVE BOB LEE WAS STABBED MULTIPLE TIMES, HE APPEARS TO TRY AND WAVE DOWN A PASSING CAR FOR HELP BEFORE THE MOTORIST DRIVES AWAY. WOUNDED AND STUMBLING INTO CLEAR VIEW AROUND 2:35 A.M. TUESDAY -- >> LOCATION IS 365 MAINE CROSSING ON FULSOME AND HARRISON FOR A STABBING. >> Reporter: THE SAN FRANCISCO STANDARD SAYS LEE CALLED 911 AND SCREAMED, HELP, SOMEONE STABBED ME. >> THAT 911 CALL, OF COURSE, GIVES US A SENSE OF TIME. BUT UNFORTUNATELY UNLESS SOMEONE SAYS WHO DID IT OR WHAT HAPPENED SPECIFICALLY ITS USEFULNESS CAN BE LIMITED. >> Reporter: SAN FRANCISCO'S D.A. SAYS SHE CANNOT CONFIRM REPORTS A KNIFE WAS FOUND NEAR THE CRIME SCENE BUT SAYS CELLPHONE DATA IS KEY. >> WE WANT TO KNOW WHO HE'S BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH JUST BEFORE HE WAS STABBED, WHO HE WAS WITH, WHAT CELLPHONE TOWERS THAT CELLPHONE WAS HIT. ARE ALL CRITICAL PIECES OF EVIDENCE FOR US TRACING BACKWARD TO THE MOMENT THIS STABBING OCCURRED. >> Reporter: PERHAPS BEST KNOWN FOR CREATING THE MOBILE PAYMENT SERVICE CASH APP -- >> WE STILL NEED SOLUTIONS FOR THE UNBANKED. >> Reporter: -- LEE WAS A TECH ICON WHO USED TO LIVE NEAR THE AREA WHERE HE WAS KILLED. THE POLICE CHIEF FACING PRESSURE AS THE CITY'S SAFETY REMAINS UNDER BLARING SCRUTINY AMID A RASH OF NEGATIVE HEADLINES. >> WE DO HAVE SOME GOOD PEOPLE TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS CASE AND THEY ARE WORKING TIRELESSLY. >> Reporter: TONIGHT THE HIGH PROFILE MURDER MYSTERY OF A TECH TITAN. MIGUEL ALMAGUER, NBC NEWS. >>> WE ARE BACK IN A MOMENT WITH A WARNING >>> WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT WARNING FOR PARENTS. DOCTORS ARE REPORTING A JUMP IN INFANT DEATHS LINKED TO UNSAFE SLEEPING CONDITIONS AND CO-SLEEPING WITH PARENTS. TOM COSTELLO NOW WITH WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. >> Reporter: COOK CHILDREN'S IN FORT WORTH CALLS IT ALARMING, 30 BABIES IN JUST 15 MONTHS WHO LIKELY DIED DURING UNSAFE SLEEPING CONDITIONS, SUFFOCATING NEXT TO THE ADULT IN THE BEDDING OR PILLOWS. >> CO-SLEEPING IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE RECOMMEND. WE RECOMMEND BABIES REALLY HAVE THEIR OWN BED, CRIB, OR BASSINET TO SLEEP-IN. >> Reporter: LAST MONTH THE CDC REPORTED A 15% INCREASE OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATH CASES AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS IN 2020 DURING THE PANDEMIC. PROVIDERS SAY MULTIGENERATIONAL HOMES WHERE PARENTS SLEEP WITH CHILDREN AND HAVE POOR ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE COULD BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. NATIONWIDE EACH YEAR 3,400 SLEEP RELATED INFANT DEATHS. THE RISK IS 5 TO 10 TIMES HIGHER WHILE BED SHARING WITH AN ADULT, EVEN HIGHER ON A COUCH OR CHAIR. TRAGICALLY IT HAPPENED TO PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGIST SAM HANKY IN 2010. HIS THREE-WEEK OLD SON, CHARLIE, FELL ASLEEP ON HIS CHEST AS SAM ALSO SLEPT. >> WHEN I WOKE UP CHARLIE NEVER DID, AND THIS -- THIS TRAGEDY IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS WAY TOO OFTEN IN OUR COUNTRY. >> Reporter: PEDIATRICIANS SAY CHILDREN SHOULD SLEEP-IN PJs OR A SLEEPING SACK FLAT ON THEIR BACKS ON FITTED SHEETS, NO BLANKETS, PILLOWS, OR STUFFED ANIMALS. SAM HANKY AND HIS WIFE HAVE STARTED CHARLIE'S KIDS. >> WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IS THAT WE'RE NOT ALONE IN THIS TRAGEDY. >> Reporter: TEACHING SAFE SLEEP TO PREVENT ANOTHER BABY FROM DYING. TOM COSTELLO, NBC >>> FINALLY, TONIGHT IN THIS SEASON OF GRACE AND RENEWAL WE HAVE A REMARKABLE STORY OF FORGIVENESS. IT'S A STORY OF A MAN WHO WAS WILLING TO OPEN HIMSELF UP TO THE HUMANITY AND POTENTIAL OF A STRANGER WHO TOOK THE LIFE OF SOMEONE DEAR TO HIM. I'VE DONE A LOT OF INTERVIEWS WITH NEWLY RELEASED INCARCERATED PEOPLE, AND GENERALLY THEY HAVE BEEN EXONERATED. THAT'S NOT YOUR STORY. >> THAT'S NOT MY STORY. >> YOU DID IT. >> I DID. >> YOU KILLED ADMAN. >> I DID. >> IN 1998 BAGGILY SHOT AND KILLED MITCHELL DURING A MARYLAND ROBBERY. >> I TURN TODAY SAY SOMETHING TO HIM AND THE GUN WENT OFF. >> IN AN INSTANT A MAN ROBBED OF HIS LIFE AND A MAN'S YOUNG SON ROBBED OF HIS FATHER. LAST SEPTEMBER 24 YEARS LATER MITCHELL SPOKE IN A MARYLAND COURT WHERE THAT MAN WHO KILLED HIS DAD WAS ASKING FOR A SECOND CHANCE, A REDUCTION OF HIS SENTENCE. AUDIO RECORDINGS CAPTURED THE HEARING. >> I'VE NEVER SEEN YOU. I NEVER KNEW WHAT YOU LOOKED LIKE. >> BUT THEN HE STUNNED THE COURTROOM. >> I FUNDAMENTALLY, WHOLLY FORGIVE HIM. >> MITCHELL ASKED THE JUDGE TO RELEASE BAGGLY FOR HIS LIFE PLUS 35-YEAR SENTENCE. WHEN IDRIS SPOKE, WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND? >> I THOUGHT IT WAS UNREAL. I THOUGHT IT WAS UNREAL. >> MITCHELL EVEN SURPRISED HIMSELF. >> I DID WANT TO SAY I FORGAVE HIM. >> BUT MORE THAN FORGIVE HIM YOU ALSO CALLED FOR HIS RELEASE. >> NOW, THAT WAS UNEXPECTED. >> IT WAS UNEXPECTED. >> THAT WAS UNEXPECTED. I WAS GOING TO STOP THERE, AND I THINK WHAT CHANGED AND EVEN ADVOCATING FOR HIS RELEASE WAS AGAIN HEARING WHAT HE HAD DONE. >> IN BAGGLY MITCHELL SAID HE FOUND THINGS IN COMMON. BOTH HIGH ACHIEVERS, MITCHELL A YALE GRAD, BAGGLY ACCEPTED INTO THE FIRST CLASS OF GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY'S BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAM FOR THE INCARCERATED. >> NOT TO BE FUNNY BUT HE HAD A BETTER GPA THAN I DID AT YAIL. SLIGHTLY BETTER. I HAD A GOOD ONE. BUT I THINK THAT HE -- HE SIMPLY DEDICATED HIMSELF TO IMPROVEMENT. >> MARK HOWARD HEADS GEORGETOWN'S PRISONS AND JUSTICE INITIATIVE. >> WHEN HE STARTED EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT COURTROOM AND ALSO THE ROLE THIS PROGRAM HAD PLAYED IN HIS JOURNEY OF GETTING HIM TO THAT POINT, IT WAS VERY EMOTIONAL. >> A JUDGE RECENTLY SLASHED BAGGLY'S SENTENCE AND HE WAS RELEASED IN JANUARY. IN SOME WAYS SETTING TWO MEN FREE. >> YOU WAIT 23 YEARS TO SAY SOMETHING, AND THEN WHEN YOU DO, YOU FIND YOURSELF ACTUALLY ADVOCATING FOR THE MAN WHO KILLED YOUR FATHER. AND THAT'S NOT -- I DON'T THINK THAT'S CONVENTIONAL, BUT IT'S WHAT FELT RIGHT. >> DID YOU DESERVE THAT LEVEL OF FORGIVENESS? >> I DON'T DESERVE ANYTHING. I TOOK A MAN'S LIFE. I DON'T DESERVE ANYTHING. I'M GRATEFUL, I'M HAPPY, BUT I DON'T DESERVE ANYTHING. >> RANDALL, MR. BAGGLY, WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER? >> WHATEVER. >> YOU OKAY? >> YEAH. YOU OKAY? >> WORKING ON IT. SO WHAT'S GOING ON? >> STILL TRYING TO PROCESS IT. >> AND AS THEY RECENTLY MET FOR THE FIRST TIME ONE QUESTION LINGERED IN THE AIR -- WHY? >> WHAT MADE YOU DO IT WHEN YOU COULD HAVE SAID SO MANY OTHER THINGS OTHER THAN I FORGIVE YOU? >> BECAUSE I -- BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE CAN CHANGE, RIGHT? PEOPLE CAN CHANGE. YOU WERE 22. IT'S BEEN 24 HOURS. >> IT TAKES A LOT TO DO WHAT YOU'RE DOING. IT TAKES A LOT. IT TAKES A LOT. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. >> IT TAKES A LOT, BRO. >> A POWERFUL MOMENT OF HEALING. >>> THAT'S "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS FRIDAY. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, EVERYONE. I'M LESTER HOLT.