Change of Heart

Josh Kagel's story is not unique. He was a bright and funny kid, loved by his friends and family but at 25 years old, he was caught in a cycle of addiction and violence that ended in his murder.

On Aug. 28, 2005, he was high on meth again. Josh fought with his wife in his Anchorage, Alaska home. He's wife's cousin, Osaiasi Saafi, felt responsible for protecting her. He intervened. Josh jumped Saafi, threatened to kill him.

Saafi went in the house and got a gun. He fired seven bullets into Josh. Josh died in his wife's arms.

Unlike the victim, Saafi had a clean record. He had no history of violence, not even traffic violations. He was such an upstanding citizen that after killing Josh Kagel, he called the police himself.

In a family torn apart by murder everyone is broken. Josh's family in Arizona, Saafi's family, friends and neighbors - no one could be put together by the conviction for second degree murder. What's left for the family is a hope that the murderer will know that he didn't just kill one man. Those bullets ripped apart a community. Punishment, justice and a bit of vengeance are all appropriate hopes for the family of a victim.

And when Josh Kagel's father arrived for the July sentencing hearing he had every expectation that his son's murderer would serve 25 years. Saafi needed to take responsibility for his son's death. He needed to feel bad for what he'd done. During his victim impact statement, Mr. Kagel told the judge that Saafi should get a serious sentence, long enough to teach him the value of human life.

"My wish for you is that you not throw your life away out of a stubborn refusal to accept responsibility for your actions," he said to his son's murderer.

Saafi, 30, hung his head in his chair at the defense table, a lawyer at his side, his own father and a minister behind him. It was his turn to speak. He accepted the decision of the jury, he said quietly. He prayed every day for the family to forgive him. He was sorry for the heartache his actions had caused.

Looking at the young man in his orange prison clothes, Kagel felt something inside change. Kagel believed Saafi's sincerity -- and that locking him up for 25 years would be a waste of two young lives.

Judge Michael Wolverton called a recess. Kagel and his daughter discussed what they had heard and what they were feeling.

When court reconvened, Kagel asked if he could make one last statement. He'd changed his mind - and asked the judge to give Osaiasi Saafi the minimum sentence. "We do forgive you. For reasons we don't understand, we love you; we do."

Judge Woverton was clearly impressed. Victims rarely speak so eloquently for the defendant. Saafi clearly acted in a fever of adrenaline and fear, protecting his family, the judge said. It's unlikely he'd ever do something like it again. Just to be safe, he added 20 years of suspended time that can be imposed if Saafi strays.

Josh Kagel is still dead. Osaiasi Saafi is still in prison.

But Rob Kagel changed the world for everyone in the courtroom that day and for many people who followed this sad story. The world is a better place, one more cloud chased away. Forgiveness and redemption go hand in hand. Mr. Kagel's change of heart has changed lives.