By LawStudent

September 25, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

I’m interested in attending the trial, and would appreciate the insight of those covering, i.e. seating capacity, etc. This set of facts cannot represent more interesting legal issues facing our criminal justice system including a novel defense, and the taxpayers’ “obligation” to compensate.

By Kim

September 25, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Nichols deserves the death penalty. This is not a racial issue but I see that the defense is making it such. Nichols brutually beat a BLACK female guard that he had befriended during his previous trial. He manipulated her goodwill towards him in treating him like a human being who deserved fair treatment and trial. What he gave her is what he gave the others — his total disregard for anyone — irregardless of race or gender. I would love to have her family testify about how they understand the logic of his seeing himself as a slave on a slaveship being shackled by whites when they continue to care for their loved one that is still significantly suffering from his attack. Give us that story.

By Amanda

September 25, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

This makes me sick! How could they even have a trial for this murderer? Like he may not be guitly or something!? He needs to be put under the jail! There is something major wrong with him. I would not even give him the option to have a lawyer or all these court dates!!!!!

By NY2GA, Inc.

September 25, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

I know that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but in this case we ALL know he is guilty. Moreover, it infuriates me when folks like him try to use the insanity defense. He’s not crazy. He’s a manipulator and an angry man with no respect for human life. Keep this trial short, stop spending all this money, and give the survivor’s of his wrath justice. Bury him underneath the jail.

By Citiizen

September 25, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

This case hits close to home for me as I am in the process of undergoing the trial of the man who murdered my son in cold blood, without provocation, in DeKalb County. And he, just like Nichols, is trying to play the crazy card. I say stop wasting our tax dollars defending Nichols. He is, obviously, GUILTY! Give him the death penalty, kill him & be done with it. When people murder innocent people without provocation, they have no regard for life other than their own. We need to return the same sentiment in dealing with them. The judicial system should swing its sword swiftly instead of slowly. It is ridiculous the way these criminals’ rights are upheld & loved ones of the victim keep having to be patient with the system. Once they cross the line & kill with eye witnesses, etc. If it is proof-positive, why waste money & time with a trial? Nichols is just like a rodent in your home, except he’s in society - exterminate him & be done with it. Some people have no redeeming qualities & in my opinion, should not be taking up time & space on this earth. REMOVE THEIR OPTIONS like they did to the people they killed.

By mary

September 25, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Brian Nichols deserves a trial, he can use any defense he chooses, pick one - unduly persecuted because he is black, his grandmother beat him,blahblahblah…the facts remain - he murdered innocent people, he ruined lives forever, he deserves his day in court and then he deserves to lose all his freedom and perhaps even his own life - I don’t really care what type of punishment it is as long as he never sees freedom again. That’s what he deserves. I am sure this jury will see the evil in this man and convict him accordingly no matter what color he is. The facts are the facts - he murdered and he deserves no less than a loss of everything he knows and loves. That’s what his victims’ families got.

By tye

September 25, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

Brian Nichols is a VERY DANGEROUS MAN He has already proven this time and time again.

By Roger

September 25, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

This case is not about guilt or innocence. If the jury finds him guilty they also have to unamously vote for the death penalty. The odds of one person saying this guy should live the rest of his life in prison is worth the risk. Besides, Paul Howard could have avoided this whole cost by simply letting the guy plea guilty and receiving a sentence of life without the possiablty of parole.

By VB

September 25, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

I am appauled it took three years to bring this case to trial, it has been one thing after another. Give these families some closure and put this to an end. I am a black woman and I feel that race has nothing to do with another person taking another innocent person’s life.

By Mr Charlie

September 25, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

I think he should be made to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang over and over again.

By Koala

September 25, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Roger’s comment: “This case is not about guilt or innocence.”

Woah!!! Then what the heck are we having a trial for, Roger? I think you’re just confused so I’ll give you a break. Trial are all about innocence v. guilt. You are presumed INNOCENT until proven GUILTY. The operative word is proven, which is what they do at the trial.

You are correct in stating that if the jury finds him guilty, they also have to unanimously vote for the death penalty. That’s why in voir dire, jurors are interrogated on their views of the DP, and they must agree to enforce the DP if selected for the jury.

As for your view that Paul Howard could have avoided this whole cost by simply letting the guy plead guilty and take a life sentence without the possibility of parole — what, are we buying a new car, and negotiating the extras? No!!

Roger, we can’t let criminals with complete disregard for human life ‘bargain’ their way out of a death penalty trial UNLESS they have something to offer. Like, the location of the bodies, the identity of their cohorts, etc. That is when bargaining comes into play. Nichols has no bargaining chips. There is no question that he did it — he’s admitted that. It is not in issue. Nichol’s argument is that he’s a nutjob, and should therefore be spared the death penalty.

The defense is a disgrace to defense lawyers. At least we have a judge getting it done.

By Feeling for the Laid-Off Fulton County Employees

September 25, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

So…we lay off vital employees in fulton county and we spend money on a man who we know committed a crime….this case is open and shut, but each day, we’re loosing more $$ on a man who is NOT worthy to even grace this world!

By This trial is INSANE

September 25, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

He’s as insane as there are dinosaurs running around Atlanta. He knew exactly what he was doing. He changed vehicles to keep the police off balance. They thought he left the Centennial garage in a car jacked vehicle, even though he left on foot then escaped on MARTA. He has cost this city so much $ because of what he’s entitled to - a fair trial. He needs to rot in jail for the rest of his life.

Everything today is about entitlement. What kind of society have we become? At the rate we’re going, my kids are going to have to deal with an awful mess. I try to teach my kids the color of one’s skin doesn’t matter, and yet we’re about to elect a President who went to a racially biased church for 20 years. Race is convenient when the politcally correct want it to be.

By Dan

September 26, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

At least it is moving forward. Justice has been delayed for his (The animal Brian Nicoles) victims. Hundreds of criminals have been tried since this tradegy! Not guilty by insanity ..PLEASE!!!Insanity is the delay in Justice!

By Danna

September 26, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

In articles in the print version of the ajc and on the net you refer to Brian Nichols crimes as “alleged”. Brian Nichols and his attorneys have admitted that he committed these horrible crime. What is still “alleged” is whether he was insane at the time he committed the crimes. Alleged refers to those who are innocent until proven guilty. Nichols guilt will hinge on whether he is or was insane not whether he ommitted the acts.

By KPierce

September 26, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

PLEASE STOP wasting our tax money defending this murderer! He is guilty…does anyone really doubt that? And insane? Gimme a break! He knew what he did was WRONG because he RAN and HID! He should be given a chance to make his peace with God and put to death. I don’t want to house him, feed him and even possibly educate him for the rest of his life. I pray for all the victims’ families and Brian’s family too, but no one capable of something like this can ever be rehabilitated, in my opinion.

By ESR

September 26, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

Don’t kid yourselves people, he will never get the death penalty in Atlanta and his defense teams know it. There’s someone sitting on that jury that will not go along with the death penalty. Why do you think it’s taken this long to bring this man to trail but in the meantime three caucasian males have been senteneced to death. This is downtown Atlanta, you’re nuts if you think a black male will get the death penalty. Why wasn’t he shot on the spot that day. You know as well as I do had this guy been white and did all that, he would be dust by now.

By Tonya

September 26, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

It sickens me the way the justice system will spend all this money and waste so much time on criminals who are obviously guilty. While there are some innocent people in jail who don’t have a chance to actually prove their innocence…Reason of insanity plea? What a joke… They didn’t know he was insane during his first trial???

By msdee

September 26, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Can someone fill me on what happened to the guards?

I just read some of the testimony where a co-worker urged the guard 3 times to take another guard with her to holding cell where Nichols was.

The guard said “No, I got him”. This despite the fact he was caught with some kind of hinges in his shoes the DAY before.

He was planning to do all this damage the day before, got caught.

I know the guards on duty that day suffered a lot of pain and still are. I was wondering if they will be any charges against them as well?

I mean if they had been following proper procedure he wouldnt have been able to carry out his plan.

Or has that already happened?

I’m not from Georgia, so I dont know what has gone on between then and ALL the time it took to bring him to trial.

Thank you

By MsA

September 26, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

Whatever sentence Nichols get WHEN he is found GUILTY & SANE, he will always be a threat to escape and kill again. The prison system that houses him is going to have to keep on their toes and make sure he never has the opportunity to escape. He has done it once and will have no second thoughts about doing it again. Hopefully none of the detention officers will “befriend” him like Deputy Hall and learn the hard way like she did that he uses people for his own agenda.

By snowbird01

September 27, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

What you dont realize is that the pressure and politics in the Courthouse would probably not allow the guard to say she needed help with Nichols. Then they would have to run around and find someone at his/her post doing their job and prepared to assist. Proper procedure and employees being at their posts was not the norm at the Fulton County Courthouse: which is why the beloved Judge’s widow won a $55 million lawsuit against the county. More suits to come or already in progress I’m sure.

By Brandon

September 28, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

What completely blows my mind is that the picture in the story shows Nichols UNRESTRAINED in court!! Wasn’t his lack of restraints what enabled him to go on a rampage killing spree in the first place?! HELLO?!

By Clarr Darr

September 28, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

Ashley’s testimony will be the very definition of subornation of perjury. Yet another chance to indict D.A. Paul Howard.

By awm

September 28, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

We need a system where these members of society can be brought to trial swiftly, Nichols has been allowed to dictate to everyone, HE HAS MADE NO BONES THAT HE IS THE BOSS, in the end this case has dragged on. We tax payers have lost millions of dollars. This is a blatant shame. How did this fiasco get out of hand? Enough is Enough….

By LIEd

September 28, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

After hearing the havoc Nichols created seriosuly injuring Deputy Hall, killing Judge Barnes and court reporter Bandeau, Hoyt Teasley and federal agent David Wilhelm, three carjackings, one attenpted hostage taking and one hostage taking to hear his defenders say he was delusional flies in the face of common sense. All he wanted was to be free and showed a depraved indifference to human life. Anything short of a death sentence would be travesty.

By JB

September 29, 2008 5:25 AM | Link to this

I too think this trail is insane and a waste of taxpayers dollars which could be helping hard-working taxpayers as well as those that have lost jobs and homes not to mention buy gas just to get to work.

Brian Nichols is an intelligent man who appears to know exactly what he is doing at all times. Okay, maybe he was disgruntled about the legal system but does that give him the right to violate others, kill and destroy lives because he is upset? NO it does not. He did the crime now he Must take responsibility for his horrific actions.

And to the writer that played the race card in reference to Presidential Candidate Barack Obama shame on you. You are so far off track! These comments should remain geared towards Brian Nichols disregard for human life…It does not matter if he’s black, white, green or blue his actions resulted in death and destruction of everyone he encountered on March 11, 2005, to include the people life he spared.

Brian Nichols and Brian Nichols alone made the decision and choices on that fatal day and now he must “man-up” face the fact that he could loose his life because of what he did whether it be death or life in solitary confinement for 199 years. I hope that everytime he closes his eyes he see the faces of his victims.

This man destroyed lives/families that spiraled utter senseless ciaos for many years to come so, therefore I truly believe that he should be found guilty and punished with the lose of his own life (DEATH).

By Was in the building that day

September 29, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

I was in the building the day or this mass murder. Yes, it was a mass murder and there were many witneses. Innocent until proven guilty does not apply in this case. The fact that we are even having a trial for this piece of feces animal blows my mind. This is not about race, its about a habitual criminal and a piece of garbage taking advantage of the system. Had he been dressed in the prison jumpsuit like all criminals should, it may have given the poor folks in that courtroom a couple seconds to stop this mad man. But no, some liberal lawyer changed the system so that these animals can get dressed up and not look the part of a criminal while on trial. The other thing that blows my mind is the author of this article describing Judge Barnes brains being blown out in detail (very nice touch for the Barnes family) yet has the nerve to point out that “During the testimony, Nichols, a man witnesses have described as handsome, intelligent and personable, sat gazing downward, his chin resting on the knot of his tie.” Are you kidding me? To even put those words in the same sentence as describing Nichols is a crime in itself. They need to fry this animal and allow the public (or at least those families that lost loved ones) to attend.

By Law

October 6, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

If Brian Nichols were you’re brother, father or son, you would want a trial. You can’t just give people the death penalty. The whole state is bankrupt because the DA Howard wants to prove a point. So don’t blame ANYTHING on his attorney’s. All they wanted was LIFe in prison without parole. And after all that’s what he deserves. So think before you speak if you don’t know what the heck is going on. This is about the death penalty. Both sides trying to bankrupt the state to prove a point. Howard has had the power to stop this madness but hasn’t. And you all continue to vote for him.

By Citizen

October 6, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this

While the justice system is built upon the “innocent until proven guilty” theory, it is ridiculous that the trial has taken this long to proceed. MILLIONS of taxdollars are being wasted!! Justice is not swift in this country - what a shame!

Every action that Brian Nichols took was premeditated…remember the saying…”actions speak louder than words”?!!

By Mumia Abu-Jamal

October 6, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

Again with the race card. If a black person can’t get lenient treatment in the Fulton County Georgia justice system, he can’t get it anywhere.

If Obama wins the election, this country will be a free-for-all.

Good luck, everyone.

By Lex Luthor

October 7, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

I went to New Zealand right after this happened. The first words out of my uncle’s mouth were: “What in the hell goes on in Atlanta?”

I just got back from another trip a week ago. All of my relatives I asked remember the shooting. From a nation of people who have a law against spanking their own children, guess what each one of them thinks he deserves.

By J D

October 8, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this

Nichols said he felt like a slave in a GA prison. Yes, that is what happens when you commit the brutal crime of rape. The people who cry foul over the death penalty are some of the same ones getting abortions wholesale. Lets put this animal down with a quickness and save some money…after all..we are in a financial crisis.

By In South Ga.

October 8, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Brian Nichols was a heavy cocaine user.Cocaine destroys brain cells.Maybe he was not aware of his actions at the present time.I don’t think a normal person would do something as bad as that.

By bill

October 8, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

This trial is a travesty of justice. Every time I see Nichols on the news sitting there with that smirk on his face I want to puke. He knows he is putting one over on us. He reminds me of OJ and his trial taking advantage of a system that too liberal to punish someone that is obviously guilty. He is not insane nor was he temporarily so,the insane ones are the lawyers that defend him and a system that allows it. I agree with an earlier blogger that they should fry him in public, bring back the electric chair just for this occasion.

By s

October 8, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

He is not a “soldier for his people”. He isnt representing me at all. He needs to represent the rest of the cold blooded murderers in the judicial system and “FRY”! Black or White, if he represented his people, he wouldnt have tried to kill his own people. I dont care how intelligent he appears. Anyone!!!! who thinks they can kill people just because you cant seem to stay out of the prison system is STUPID, IGNORANT and clearly a PSYCHOPATH!!! If you get your azz put in jail or prison, you arent representing no one but the dumb azzez already in the prison system who got themselves put there! “Nichols is a coo coo and he’s tired”, put him to death…very slowly..I hope the injection malfunctions and he explodes!!!!!

By InTownGal

October 8, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

I love the way it always goes back to the race card, especially in Atlanta. He said in his confesion that he killed those people b/c he felt like he was at war with the gov’t and he felt like a slave, and that Judge Barnes was the “slavemaster.” He also said they make prisoners “work for free.” I have to be blunt but, WTF??? GET OVER IT!! I guess I should have to work 1.5 jobs to pay taxes to house yo’ azz in the prision, RIGHT? You were doing time for a crime you committed, which you didn’t want to take responsibility for.

By Mike

October 8, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Law,

The man deserves death. Seems pretty clear to me. What is your point, that if you believe in the death penalty, you ought to have to spend an outrageous amount of money to prosecute it?

By red adair

October 8, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

He lacks accountability.

By Babe Leopold

October 10, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this

Ashley’s story has never made a lick of sense, and she continued the fairy tail on the witness stand, this time under oath. Who but idiots would believe her fable about being afraid to drive away in her own car because she was afraid it would conk out leaving her at the mercy of her alleged kidnapper? She should have been charged with aiding and abetting a fugitive and with possession of illegal narcotics, but the agenda of the state was to canonize her. This deification has been accomplished with the assistance of the pimp media. Talk about textbook subornation of perjury. The state could have saved millions by accepting a plea of life without parole. The death penalty is barbaric and futile, but you can’t reason with obstinate fanatics and crypto-fascists.

By Susan

October 10, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

He’s a cold blooded killer with no redeeming qualities what-so-ever. He should never have been allowed to leave that apartment alive years ago. The millions of dollars, government resources and money spent housing and feeding himi over the years since is a travesty. He’s not insane. He’s cold and heartless. Fry him.