Talk of the Town

By Dale Garner

December 13, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Why would the Fulton DA pick the three jurors who said they were opposed to the death penalty?

By What?!

December 13, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

This is so rediculous. After escaping and killing so many people, how could anyone want to spare this man? I hope the 3 jury members who voted for life in prison lose someone close to them by a deranged killer such as Brian Nichols. I am willing to bet he escapes again, only the next crime spree will be much larger. This man does not deserve the air he breathes, nor should our tax dollars be used to keep him alive for the rest of his life. This is a huge mistake on their part. I hope they pay for this some how and have nightmares for the rest of their life. Let the images of those killed be burned into their minds forever. The death penalty should be a majority rules, not unanimous decision. With the world running out of money, why should we even use our tax dollars to feed, clothe, educate and keep criminals? Just one less person to drain the system.

By Al

December 13, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

It was clearly a matter of juror nullification on the part of one or more of the three jurors who expressed opposition to the death penalty. Why did the judge allow them to sit on the jury panel after they stated their opinions during jury selection? They most likely just went in the jury room during the penalty phase, folded their arms over their chest and said, “I’m not deliberating!”, knowing that by their refusal they would “win”, no matter what the majority felt and the evidence called for.

That’s what happened about 10 years ago in a North Carolina case involving an Army paratrooper and skinhead James Burmeister. Convicted of the horrific, random double murder of two blacks, he was spared when one juror announced in the jury room, “I’m opposed to the death penalty in all instances and will not participate”. She turned and faced the wall the entire time, leaving the jury hung at 11-1. Burmeister received life by default under the law.

Georgia should follow the path of Florida and Alabama and switch to a system whereby the jury vote is advisory and the judge has final decision on whether to apply a death sentence or not. In both of those states, a jury that ends up 9-3 or 10-2 or 11-1, in favor of death to life can still return a death sentence.

I support a change to Georgia’s death penalty laws and also encourage a reform to the appeals processes. The cases in the system now take TOO LONG to be resolved. e.g. 25-30 years.

We ought to follow the path of Virginia and revamp the laws to cut the appeals process down to five or six courts, conviction —> direct appeal to state supreme court —> habeas appeal to state appeals court —> habeas appeal to US 11th Circuit —> US Supreme Court —> execution. That takes about 5 to 6 years in Virginia, much faster than what is occurring down here.

By Democratic Death Penalty supporter

December 13, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

If the death penalty doesn’t apply to Nichols—one of the most savage, brutal, selfish, dangerous people in this state’s history—then why have it at all?

We drained almost $4 mil from our public defender program, wasted on catering to every whim and trick this POS could come up with. I’m a lawyer and a democrat, and a firm believer in a fair trial, but this languishing charade has made a mockery of the justice system in this state.

Anyone who actually believes this guy is sorry for what he did is a damn fool. At least it’s all over with, he’s no longer Georgia’s problem (hopefully he’ll be sent to Supermax) and we’ll never have to hear from this disgusting creature again.

Good riddance. I wish him nothing but the worst in this life and the next.

By Nospin

December 13, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Bleeding hearts on the jury. Great! Its not over though. He can still get death in a federal trial.

By Michael

December 13, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Life without parole? I seem to remember that being offered a year ago. Hehehehe.

Fire Paul Howard!!!

By RLP

December 13, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

The court system is to blame for some of this mess. The man should not have been able to escape and kill like he was able to do. My understanding people tried to contact the law officials that Nichols needed to be watched because something was not right and I think his mother emailed people as well. Nichols was not in his right frame of mind and I dont think anybody is in their right frame of mind doing what Nichols did. But it all was ignored. None of this would have happen if two corrections people had this man secured when escorting him anywhere. I pray for the families but looking at the big picture Life without parole. He will spend the rest of his life in prison.

By Reid Adair

December 13, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

It does not surprise me to hear that the three jurors against the death penalty had their minds made up before sentencing deliberations even began.

If these three are the same three that the AJC profiled earlier in the week, then all three should face some sort of charges for lying to the court. Each of the 12 jurors told the court that they would consider the death penalty if Nichols was convicted.

Each of the three jurors should also have to explain their decisions publicly - or at least to the families of Nichols’ four victims.

Judge James Bodiford was right. “If only (agent David Wilhelm) had gotten the draw on Mr. Nichols.”

By GeezGuys

December 13, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Where the crap did they find three morons who thought Brian Nichols didn’t deserve the death penalty? This is the final testament in this trial to the armpit called Fulton County. Idiot Sheriff, idiot deputies, idiot jurors.

By catlady

December 13, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

About the only t hing Brian Nichols could have done WORSE was to rape and kill a child in addition to 4 court officers. If there was EVER EVER a sentence of death appropriate, this was it!

By Linda_Lee

December 13, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Let’s see… Did Nichols say to his victims “hey, would you like to live out the rest of your life, or would you like to die right now?” No. Why should he get to live out the rest of his life and why should my tax payers dollars foot the bill for it? Every breath someone is allowed to breathe on this earth is sweetness and I don’t think he should be allowed to take even one more breath. He made the choice to take the lives of others. Let his now be taken. Others who would ever contemplate such a horendous act need to be shown that justice will demand their life in return.

By USMCDAWG

December 13, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

Too bad the Feds got to Nichols before the Gwinnett SWAT team did. This BS would have ended that Saturday morning. Now we all have to feed, clothe, and cater to Nichols every need for the next 50 years. Not to mention, worry about his next escape attempt.

By Marcus

December 13, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

The sentence is a complete joke and shows the stupidity of 3 jurors. What does it take to get a death sentence in this country? The entire trial was a waste of time and the cost to keep Nichols alive is beyond common sense. This ranks up there with the OJ Simpson debacle. It goes to show that in this country it only takes one anti death penalty idiot to save the life of a murderer. ONLY IN AMERICA. I guess Brian Nichols’ life means more than the 4 lives he took..

By Embarrassment

December 13, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

What a pathetic three jurorists. This is an embarrassment to Atlanta. Fulton Co actually gets a high profile conviction but the jury doesn’t do it’s part. I’m sure the three couldn’t vote for death because of religious reasons, but said they could in the preliminary questioning stage. They’re pathetic! Nichols is a murderer who said he would do it again.

Reminds me of a Dekalb Co case about 20 years ago when a woman was attacked, raped, and stomped to death in the middle of the day. Suspect was caught, tried, and convicted, but “one” juror held out and publically said it was for religious purposes.

Believe it or not, I AM A GOD-FEARING MAN, but there comes a time when you have to do the “right” thing!

By Stan

December 13, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

I hope the 3 people who held up justice here can sleep well at night knowing this vicious murderer may kill some poor innocent law enforcement person in the future. I feel very sorry for the families. They will be emotionally tied to this man until he dies. You should end this sad story by ending the murderers life.

By Ice Dawg

December 13, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Seriously, if this guy doesn’t deserve the death penalty, why do we have it? These three jurors should be forced to explain themselves to the public that they were intrusted to represent (and defend). Wow, totally dropped the ball on this one!

By Allen Daldon

December 13, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Wow, so much hate on this topic. You hope someone kills a loved one of the Jurors who voted NO on the dealth penalty? Just wow. Sick you are!

Don’t waste any more tax payer dollars on this case (i.e., a Federal trial). It’s over; let him rot in his cell. JUST STOP THIS MEDIA CIRCUS.

By Katey Brown

December 13, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

This jury should be very proud. For Georgia, with its track record of jumping to the death penalty, and especially in a high-profile case like this, I am proud of my state. Life Without Parole protects society without making it stoop to the same level of violence and moral depravity as the convicted. Good job

By Doug C.

December 13, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

The Defense wins and Paul Howard is still a clown.

By GumbyWilliams

December 13, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

This is a sad day for Atlanta justice. My goodness, how could you foul up this one. This was a total no-brainer. Oh, I think I get it. Since Brian Nichols spared Ashley’s life then you think he is a gentle kitten so go ahead and spare his life. Well what about the four people that he killed? Dont they deserve to live or they did before Nichols snuffed the life out of them. This is so ridiculous I cried my eyes out when the sentence was delivered. What if Nichols escapes and kills 10 more people. Will that jury be so dumb as to spare his life again. This is stupid and I am totally outraged by all of it. The taxpayers got ripped off financing this case and then justice doesnt even get served because they protect this cold-blooded killer so that he can escape and kill again. I will never again follow a homicide case in Atlanta again because it is purely a waste of time. The three jurors who voted to spare Nichols life should be put into a mental institution. Wow, how could you blow this one. Wow, this is amazing, Brian Nichols got a much lighter sentence than OJ Simpson despite the fact that OJ killed two (Nichol Brown Simpson) and (Ron Goldman) while Nichols killed four. Amazing.

By By San

December 13, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

This should cost Paul Howard his job !! Nichols wanted to take the Life without parole as a plea but Paul Howard wanted the death penalty, talk about wasting taxpayer money !! This has cost the taxpayers of not just Fulton County but the State of Georgia plenty. Fulton County voters, wake up !! get rid of Paul Howard !!

By TriGuy

December 13, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

The correct sentence was arrived at. If it is morally wrong to end the life of another person, then it is morally wrong to end the life of another person. Period.

By nana

December 13, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

This was a huge waste of tax dollars. Although had he gotten the death penalty it would be many, many years before he was put to death. Hopefully he won’t escape again and if he does he gets caught and killed before he can do it to someone else. While these 3 jurors probably shouldn’t have been on the jury to begin with some of the comments on this blog about these jurors are way over the line.

By ctj

December 13, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

What the heck happened here. This was on TV witnessed by thousands if not millions of people and this guy lives to laugh about it.

By Massachusetts Democrat

December 13, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

What a horrible decision and waste of taxpayer funds. If this piece of scum has any sense of the value of human life he may have considered that before becoming a rapist.

If the courts shackled this dirtbag and surrounded him with multiple male security guards who could physical dominate him perhaps this horrible nightmare may have been averted. Considering the deplorable outcome created by a non-inpartial jury, this miserable excuse for a human life does not deserve another breathe. Fresh air or jailhouse.

Any more taxpayer funds should be spent on Georgia’s death penalty - you have it, use it!

By Annicka

December 13, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Although dysfunctional, our criminal justice system has some safeguards in place to protect the integrity of the judicial process. As an individual with no personal ties to any of the victims of Nichol’s killing spree, I agree with the verdict of “life in prison, no parole.” If I were connected in anyway to the victims, I would probably want the death sentence for Nichols. This is where the judicial system was framed to have jury selections that excluded family members or friends of those victimized by an accused. Emotions outweigh logic any day and should not be the main force in any judicial proceedings. With that said, I believe there is no justifiable excuse for the life long pain Nichols has inflicted on the families and friends of the victims. He has also caused shame to his family members and life long trauma to the daughter he has never had enough decency to care for. This man was portrayed as a victim of the justice system that snapped and killed innocent, decent people who were simply carrying out their normal workday. I was, along with the majority of citizens, sickened by Nichols defense attorney’s portrayal of Nichols as a victim. A victim he was not. Any functioning adult of at least normal mental capacity does not commit such heinous crimes without fully understanding the actions being carried out. There have been several individuals victimized by our judicial system and served over 15years in the penal system before being vindicated of any crimes. And yet, these individuals did not overpower authorities, kill any judges or court reporters, kill an innocent federal agent and later kidnap a woman and get high on drugs afterwards. The correct punishment is to leave Nichols in a cell with his thoughts for the rest of his life. May God have mercy on his soul.

By cathy

December 13, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

My son is a police officer, let me pull the switch. I cannot believe that these jerks on the jury not only let him live to a nice ripe old age but make me pay for it, I know with a death sentence he would have still lived 20 years with free room and board plus health care, but longer than that is intolerable.

By Somebody

December 13, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

I would bet the farm that the 3 jurors opposed to the death penalty were of a similar hue of skin as Mr. Nichols. So unbelievably typical.

By Ted Striker

December 13, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Hard to understand someone being so upset by the sentence that they are hoping at least three new murders occur — to family members of three jurors.

By Giordano

December 13, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

The minute that guy was allowed to walk out of that Gwinnett apartment complex I knew this was going to happen. He should have been filled with holes upon sight, but no, we have to respect his RIGHTS! Then, he and his lawyers are allowed to turn what should have been a one day open and shut trial into another judicial CIRCUS, which drags on and on as the devastated family members of those murdered are left with nothing but their unending grief. It is a society much sicker than Brian Nichols that allows a vermin like him to live out his life - regardless of the location - after doing what he did. He’s laughing at everyone of us right now, I promise you. He’s laughing at the courts and he’s laughing at the victims families. He was going to spend the majority of his life in prison for rape even before the courthouse shootings, so what does he care about this verdict? He doesn’t, because he knows he beat the system again. I only wish we could send the 3 jurors that spared him into the same cell for the same length of time. As long as people like that exist animals like Nichols will continue to make a mockery of this country and the gift of life.

By GeezGuys

December 13, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Hey, you bleeding hearts who oppose the death penalty—If Brian Nichol’s life is so precious, why don’t you guard him?

Nope, didn’t think you would, you spineless, gutless, jellyfish. The death penalty is so primitive and sordid for you, yet I don’t see any of y’all volunteering your own selves to save others from Nichol’s tender mercies. Put up or shut up.

By andy

December 13, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Just another example of your Georgia RepubliCON government not getting the job done.

When the Dems ran the state, dirt like Brian Nichols would have fried.

No water, congested roads, high crime, and no jobs! That’s the new Georgia.

By Russ

December 13, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

These 3 people should have to meet the family’s of the people that Brian Nichols killed.What a sad sad day for these family’s right before Christmas.I wish i could really say what i feel about these 3 low life on the jury.I hope they can’t sleep at night knowing what they have done.And to the family of Judge Barnes, David Wilhelm,Julie Ann Brandau,Sgt. Hoyt Teasley i am so sorry the court system failed you.

By Hurricane

December 13, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Being that this trial was held in Fulton County, are any or you really surprised that Nichols did’nt get death? If the result was for Nichols to get the death penalty, then the trial could have been moved to almost any other county in GA other than Fulton. Heck, I think that he would have had a better than 50-50 shot at the death penalty even in DeKalb County. He took four lives. There are four families that will never be the same again, but three morons on the jury saw fit for him to live on. Can anything take place in Fulton County that doesn’t reek of incompetence or stupidity?

By MIchael

December 13, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Georgia has its own “supermax” in Reidsville. 4 or 5 man, shackled escort to the shower and the caged yard for his one hour per day. Yes, I’ve been there to see clients.

I know many of you foolhardies are now hoping for inmate justice that you have heard about on TV but these supermax prisons typically protect them from other inmates. So you foolhardies must instead rely on sadistic prison guards.

I love it when your family members get in trouble for whatever reason and then you pay me or other lawyers tens or hundreds of thousands to keep them out of these hellhole prisons that your misery create.

By cbgb

December 13, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

A mockery of our justice system. If the death sentence is not valid throw it out. Nichols just basically got lucky by drawing the trial he received. I’m all for mercy but this is just gross incompetence.

By John Doe

December 13, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Grow up GeezGuys. I support the death penalty but you have to admit that putting Brian to death won’t change anything. It won’t bring back the four dead victims.

There is no point in having a federal trial. Let it go. Brian will spend the rest of his life in prison. It’s over.

By SHS

December 13, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

I support the death penalty in cases like the Brian Nichols case, where there is not a shadow of a doubt that the person charged committed the crime. However, the death penalty may be letting Brian Nichols off too easily for his horrific crime. If he is sent to Supermax, as he should be, he may be breathing, but his life won’t be worth living. There won’t be any way he can escape, no possibility of parole and no way to commit suicide. Just years of nearly solitary confinement, caged like the animal he is. He will find that death would have been preferable.

By Blue"D"Fan

December 13, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

What a sad day for all who had faith in the justice system. I am amazed that after all he killed and hearing the tape that clearly said he’d kill more. We could still spare his life. I think he will escape and continue his terrible path. The only difference is that we’d expect it this time. How very very sad!! Good for the Judge to give hime so much time, it’s obvious he wanted justice for his fellow Judge. May God be with the family members who have to live with the decision. Another case of how does this happen. Wow!!

By Mike

December 13, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

What a joke. 3 wimps have the power to set this man free from the justice he deserved. Evil wins again.

By ron

December 13, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

As long as Nichols is alive there is always a chance he’ll get out of prison ,legally.Not escape,but let out because some bleeding heart judge lets him go.Some bleeding heart that is opposed to life in prison with no parole.It’s happened before.

By John Henry Nations

December 13, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

The sentencing bythe jury should not have been a surprise—-at least of all to the D.A.

As profiled in the AJC, three of jurors said they were against the death penalty in their pre-trial juror questionaire.

If they were the same three that deadlocked the jury in the sentencing phase, then they were just holding to their convictions they had previously expressed.So don’t blame the jurors.

The Fulton DA is an idiot for picking those three jurors for a death penalty trial. Paul Howard should be fired for allowing those jurors to be selected.

Now he wants the Feds to try Nichols.

If it is any comfort to the family of the victims, Nichols will be in a hell we can’t even imagine. Solitary confinement 23 1/2 hours a day. A shower only twice a week. Fresh air and sunlight for 1/2 hour a week. Prison food, prison clothes, no personal belongings. Prison guards don’t treat very well murderers of fellow law enforcement brothers.

Nichols knew the good life before this, he came from an upper middle class lifestyle—he is about the understand the term “hell on earth”

Hopefully, the families can find some measure of peace in the future. They have more friends and supporters than they will ever know.

By Black Republican

December 13, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Why are you mad at the jurors? It was their constitutional right to make that decision. You should be mad at PAUL HOWARD! His ego got in the way of this case and has costed the taxpayers millions of dollars. There was no jury in Georgia that would have given Brian Nichols the death penalty! Howard should have pled the case and save the taxpayers’ money! Why do we keep electing people that are clearly unable to perform their duties? Myron Freeman…Victor Hill…former Clayton County School Board members…George H.W. Bush…Vernon Jones….Kathy Cox…Do you get the pictures?

By JoyW

December 13, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

The three members of this jury should all be publicly identified. Nichols even used his own child when his life was on the line, he or his parents had no use for her before the trial. Now the child will be ridiculed for life because her father is a killer and did not get death sentence. Hopefully the Feds will get him.

By Kevyn

December 13, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

It’s a form of OJ all over again. I bet at least one of the three jurors if not all are black. If Nichols was White he would have been given death. And this trial would also have been over with a long, long time ago.

By Alan

December 13, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

First of all, we seem to wanna convict the jurors instead of the man who committed the crime. How can someone sit and say “Bad Man” for killing those people, yet be so quickly to say that he should die. What makes anyone of us any better than him by being so quickly to say whether he should live or die. No one knows what it was like to be in that jury room, so how dare you sit in judgment over their decision. They did the best that they could with what they had to work with.

This was a long and emotional process for everyone. We also forget that had been sentenced to death that it would have meant automatic appeals, which means that it still would have dragged out in the court system for many more years.The only people who have any rights to complain are the families of those involved, not you, I or anyone else.

So stop being so quick to judge and to crucify the jurors, what should have been put on trial is the lax security that allowed this to happen in the first place. There’s plenty of blame to go around here people.

By David

December 13, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Obviously 3 jurors had no business at this trial. If Brian Nichols doesn’t deserve the death penalty i don’t know who does. He has no business living out his life, hopefully it will be a rotten life!

By REAL

December 13, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Very typical of the justice system in Fulton County……Lets hope the state corrections gets it right and sends him to supermax.

By keepin it real

December 13, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

What a disgraceful thing that has been done by these jurors. Even if they had imposed the death penalty, he would have served at least 20 years before it was ever carried out. Shame on these people who had more regard for the life of this dangerous, cold, evil man, than they did for those poor, innocent victims.

Our system stinks….

By Jeffisonlineagain

December 13, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

I never had any confidence in Fulton County being able to screen jury members. We might as well be hanging out a big sign to murderers across the nation to come to Fulton and let the taxpayers give you free food and lodging for life.

By Craig

December 13, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Look at this verdict in another way….

If Nichols received the death penalty, the costs of the appeals to the tax payers would have been astronomical. At least with the verdict of life without parole, he will spend the rest of his life thinking about what he has done. Maybe, over time, he will become remorseful, and then will spend the remainder of his life in regret.

I am just glad this case is now resolved. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the families of those who lost loved ones to this guy.

By Bob

December 13, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Judge Bodiford did a job that should make people for and against Nichols satisfied. He was just, fair and expedient! To seat 3 jurors that are opposed to the death penalty and have the defense offer to accept life without parole going in should make the intelligent voters (a possible oxymoron) of Fulton County demand a replacement for their DA! That Howard is trying to save face by forcing the feds to kill Nichols is too little too late!

By Cheryl

December 13, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

May God have mercy on the souls of those who suborn murder in their hearts, especially against those who did their duty and rendered the verdict, and sentence according to the evidence and their convictions. In this supposed “civilized” nation that we live in, posts above, show that alot of this “supposition” is baseless.

If human beings, , children of God, cannot determine and serve human justice, without taking another life, then there is little hope for our society.

It is a tragedy, what happened to those families during Nichols’ two-day murder rage, but even that does not justify a human ordering him murdered too! He will face his judgment, the one no one can escape, and he will be judged according to his works, just as you and I will. Those who voted “not to kill” will be seen as blessed, and the peacemakers, and those who voted for violence, begetting violence, will be judged according to their works as well.

I would think in this state, with all of it’s “professing Christians”, and fishes on the backs of cars, and churches on every corner, that basic understanding of the teachings of Jesus, would be the obvious answer.

WWJD is supposed to mean more than just asking the question, it’s supposed to be a question asked when determining how to act…… Even as a juror. May God bless those 3 brave jurors, who chose the narrow road, the righteous road, and did what they were called to do, and not what was easy and popular! It is one thing not to be against the Death Penalty in theory, it is quite another to actually vote to kill another. Most people cannot do it anymore than they could pull a trigger when they search their hearts. No Christian should be able to if he/she is more than a Christian in name only.

Brian Nichols lives to seek his redemption, instead of condemning him, perhaps you may try praying for him to find it. It is God’s plan for him, and for you to deny God his plan is to deny God himself. You cannot judge God, and why he does or allows what he does. It is his divine right alone.

Pray for those jurors who voted to kill him, that they may seek and find forgiveness from the Father, and also praying for comfort for the families and loved ones of the victims. They would not have found the peace they sought by him being put to death. It doesn’t work that way.

I Bless them all.

By Voice of Reason

December 13, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

I just cannot believe the Nichols jury had three people who would not vote for the death penalty! If ever there was a death penalty case, this was the case. I’d bet the three holdouts were three holy-rollin’ “church ladies”…I’d bet you. If so, some people are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.

Wasn’t it determined during voirdire (sp?) whether or not all the jurors COULD/WOULD vote in favor of the death penalty if the case warranted it? Were these three just opposed to the death penalty from the beginning? If so, they should NEVER have been selected and agreed to by the prosecution!

Even if they’d given him the death penalty, he’d still be alive for ~20 years for those useless appeals. They’d better be glad I’m not the decider, cause he’d be dead momentarily.

This man is an animal and a disgrace; he is bad seed. Unbelievable decision…or lack thereof. Shame on those three. And I’m going to have to pay more money to feed and house this despicable vermin.

By Barry

December 13, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

OBAMA VOTERS!

By JCS

December 13, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

WHAT A EMBASSASSING AND HUMILIATING LACK OF OF COMMON SENSE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF GA,,AND ATLANTA!!!!!,,,,THESE THREE JURORS BROUGHT SO MUCH SHAME AND DISRESPECT ON THIER STATE,,THEY SHOLUD BE BANISHED FROM THIS NATION!!! WHAT A MESSAGE THIS SENDS TO OTHER CRIMINALS!!! AND THIER POPULATION IS GROWING,,THEY ARE LAUGHING AT US IN PRISON,S!!!! I WILL NEVER BUY A HOME OR PROPERTY IN GA,,NEVER!!!,,,IT,S BLANTENTLY OBVIOUS WHO THEY ARE…..NO WONDER OTHER COUNTRIES LAUGH AT US,,,

By Hank

December 13, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

The fate of Mr.Nichols that the jury has decided is really gives the American justice system a black eye. How dare they not decide on the death penalty after a five year, $3,000,000 plus investigation and trial, that in the end proved his quilt. I hope the 3 idiots that voted against the death penalty feel real good about themselves.They should be on trial for extreme stupidity.Now the tax payers will have to pay at least $40 dollars a day for his incareration. The death penalty is too good for this horrible person. If I had my way, I would hire the best plumbers and build a special toliet and flush this piece of crap down it.

By Black Republican

December 13, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Why are you all bringing up race? Race has absolutely nothing to do with this case. The 3 jurors (2 black women and 1 Asian American man) had the right to make whatever decision they wanted. They expressed their belief during the questioning phase and the prosecution team allowed them on the jury! DANG! Is everything about RACE? Did they spare his life because we have an African American president-elect? People…the justice system has spoken. Please respect the jurors decision and move on. You win some…You lose some!

By athensjack

December 13, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

First of all, Nichols should have been executed several years ago. What a joke that his trial took so long. He murdered four people, what’s to deliberate? Kill him. We’ll be hearing about that human urd for years to come. He’ll be making news as he tries to escape time and again and heaven forbid if he’s ever success…he’ll kill scores of people. Rebelling against slave masters…what a tragic joke for the four people he murdered in cold blood. Nichols should be killed, period!!!

By MsD

December 13, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

I am sooo angry with this outcome. He attempted escape so many times before and he WILL try again…I just hope he never succeeds. After all this time and money being wasted, this man has his life spared. It is ridiculous. I think that the 3 jurors should have put themselves in the victims’ shoes. If it were anyone in their families that was brutally murdered by this animal, I guarantee you that they would have voted differently.

By liz hall

December 13, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

Thank God my prayer was answered. Taking another life will not bring the victims back. Brian is someone’s child too.

By RZRBK

December 13, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Some of the comments are ridiculous! “Lets PRAY that he is killed” “Those jurors should be on trial” “I Hope the jurors lose a loved one that way” What a bunch of loons!

By RZRBK

December 13, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Just what we need to do in this economy….spend MILLIONS upon MILLIONS to have him federally tried just to see if we can KILL him that way! Again…a bunch of loons!

By Suzi

December 13, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Damn those three bleeding hearts, this man is an animal and should be put down just like a rabid dog, how can people be so blind. I hope the victims family will be safe until he escapes.

By Tell The Truth

December 13, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

While I agree that it’s a shame that all of this happened, it ALL could have been avoided. Brian Nichols should NEVER have been retried for the alleged rape of his ex-girlfriend. Gayle Abramson, the illegal drug using “prosecutor” should have offered him some type of plea after the first jury deadlocked. She was probably either still high or coming down off a very good high and her mind was clouded!! She should be arrested, prosecuted, and disbarred and Paul Howard should resign immediately

By Michael K

December 13, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

How the heck did 3 jurors get to hear this case when they said regardless of the evidence, they were opposed to the death penalty and this is a death penalty case? I am opposed to the death penalty in general and I would excuse myself from the case.

By ben

December 13, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

He received much more justice than he gave his victims. If this guy ever gets the chance, he’ll escape again and kill innocent victims again.

By Three Blind(dumb) Jurors

December 13, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

I hope Nichols goes after the 3 criminal coddling jurors if he ever escapes from prison. These morons should pay for the millions it will take to give this useless to society, murdering coward scumbag, 3 hots and a cot!

By RLW

December 13, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

…….justice?!?…..no…just chance…..this POS killed my friend….a judge who treated every human being who appeared before him with dignity and respect..remember Death Penalty 101 prosecutors?!?!….YOU DON’T SEAT JURORS WHO EXPRESS RESERVATIONS ABOUT IMPOSING THE ULTIMATE PENALTY!!..after this debacle….how can any death penalty in Georgia withstand judicial scrutiny?…

By Voice of Reason

December 13, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Barry you don’t know what you’re talking about, so shut up. I am an Obama voter and Brian Nichols should’ve gotten the death penalty; and OJ was guilty of the murders, etc. So, please, stop with the racist, republican or otherwise ignorant posturing. And yes, I am a Black female. This case has nothing to do with Obama, so just stop.

By Mansk

December 13, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

The three jury members that voted for life instead of death should be on trial. What fargin MORONS………..retards would be better. What does it take to get the death penalty????

By WARREN G. RIED

December 13, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

BRIAN NICHOL’S JURY:

A-S-H-A-M-E on you! the segment of the Brian Nichol’s jury who voted to allow this no good scum ball to keep on breathing. There is something very very very wrong with this picture. If this (his Crimes) do not qualify for the death penalty, then, what does a thug have to do? We, the tax payers, have spent millions on this fool’s defense team. I suppose that we are going to have to spend more millions on his appeal process and to keep him alive until he dies of natural cause. Again, there is something very wrong with this picture.

Thanks,

Warren G. Reid

By Tommy Maddox

December 13, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Horray for Georgia? This in some way makes up for hundreds of lynchings that happened a century ago? Oh please!

This is despicable.

Ooops - sorry. I can’t pick on Paul Howard for being a bufoon - he’s the wrong color.

By SouthernGal

December 13, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Send him to the FEDS….he will be in solitary confinement for the rest of his life. He will sit in a cell 23 hours a day and will be allowed 1 hour of solitary exercise.

He should have no TV, Radio, reading or writing materials.

By Derek

December 13, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

ANNE; As a black man in America, I too condemn the past, but I live in the present and strive for the future. This has nothing to do with race, He RAPED a black woman! He MURDERED a black deputy and BEAT another black female deputy! I would be the first to pull the switch, trigger or inject the needle, instead of making the victims (thru their taxes) pay for him to live another 50 yrs! I pray Anne that he never escapes and shows up at your or loved ones house!

PS> You may want to study your history and find that the slave trade was alive and well in africa for hundreds of years before the slave trade was exported. And it was other sub-saharan africans and northern muslims that implemented it. So how far back do you want to go!

By ROBIN

December 13, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

I am against the death penalty usually but in this case I can say this. There was no doubt in anyones mind that he killed and planned to kill. All because he didnt like prison. It was an attepmt to escape and he didnt care what happened. It was staged and there is no possibility of mistaken identy with this case.

The three people who could not go with the dealth penalty will be held responsible in my mind if he gets away and kills again. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be on the lookout for the first exit out of jail. God help the three who did not do their job in finding him guilty. God help them is there is any more killing. They will be at fault with this one.

By threedeep

December 13, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

I said this from the beginning, save the state of GA the money and plea to life without parole. Let the feds pursue the death penalty. Now millions of dollars later this is what happened. Did you see the profiles of Nichols attorneys, two from Harvard and one from Yale. No offense to the local DA’s and our state law schools, but this was a legal mis-match.

By mike

December 13, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

anne-

this was a score evening? you’re ignorant. what score was evened when he raped his black girlfriend?

By Unbelievable

December 13, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

We should all blame the judicial system for allowing the 3 dissenting jurors to ever sit on the jury AND for requiring a unanimous rather than a majority vote to go forward with the death penalty!!! The affected families should file a civil suit against the 3 jurors for pain and suffering (since you likely can’t sue for being stupid)!!! I’m so ticked off…..WHO ARE THE THREE JURORS????

By wreckmaniac

December 13, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

A day of court jesters. Now the taxpayers must to go to work so they can pick up the tab at approx. $35,000 per year to put this slimebag away. In approx. 20 years some Obama court appointee will let him go. Just a great day for Georgia. I would be scared to go out of my house.

By Amazing

December 13, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I hope the 3 jurors and their families carry their decision with them for the rest of their lives and beyond. AJC - please profile and interview these jurors so we can try to understand why they did what they did!!!

What good is the death penalty if it did not apply to Nichols???????????????????????????

By jtb

December 13, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Only in Fulton County can you get away with murdering a Judge, a Federal Agent, A Deputy, A Court Reporter, and physically incapacitating another Deputy. The Death Penalty law needs to be changed to majority vote. 9 of 12 people felt he deserved to die. He killed 4 people. The 3 jurors should be embarrassed for allowing this animal to breathe another day. My heart goes out to the Barneses, Brandaus, Wilhelms, and Teasleys because justice was not served. Another Shameful day for the City of Atlanta.

By I wonder

December 13, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Why is this judge making so many respectful remarks about this killer? I know it have hurt all the victims’ families to hear it from the judge.

By GAPeach

December 13, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

What kind of judicial system do we have when nine jurors do not get what they want but three jurors do!! Do you call that justice? The scales of justice seem to tip way in favor of those charged with a crime … and yet victims get no second change nor do they have a choice when crimes are being committed against them. Anyone who can allow people like Nichols to be able to breathe the same air that law abiding people breathe should have to endure (or one of their loved ones) the same haneous crime that those individuals endured. Too many people are worried about individuals who might be put away who are innocent. I’d prefer to worry about those who manage to use every technicality to avoid prison and even get off scott free. Shame on his parents, shame on those three jurors! Justice has not been served.

By Juliamp

December 13, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

How fortunate for Mr. Nichols (and I use the term loosly) that people on the jury thought long and hard about imposing death on him. Too bad he is not man enough to be as upright as they are.

And his weak willed apology was a big flop in my opinion.

I honestly don’t know if I could sentence anyone to death or not, but there is not doubt in my mind that if anyone deserves it, he does.

By Who Cares?

December 13, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

This is what we have “earned” and should expect from our modern day politically correct society. What he deserved was to have been shot between the eyes as soon as he was captured and verified that he was the shooter. But NO, not in our current day society. We need to insure that we spend millions of tax dollars trying to come up with a reason that behavior like this is the result of everyone elses fault and not the poor accused, who is truly the “victim”. Sorry folks, but the government is running out of cash trying to be everyone’s savior. We throw enough money away on the various social programs for those who don’t want to work, we may as well throw more away on those who don’t deserve to live. After all, it’s somebody elses fault anyway. Like I said earlier, he should have not seen the sunset the day it was verified that he was the courthouse killer.

By SA

December 13, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

I’m white and would have voted life without parole. Civilized people do not murder in the name of the law. He can rot in prison.

By almieni24

December 13, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

I am embarrassed to be from Georgia. This is one of the worst killers in history and three jurors excused him from death…how can they live with themselves? This should be in their conscience’s the rest of their lives. They did nothing to protect the general public or their families from this type of insanity.

By C.L.H.

December 13, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

This is a great example of how great the American justice system is. The jury could not reach a unamous decision so I think the multiple life sentences are fair and just. On the other hand Paul Howard meeting with U.S. attorneys to push a federal case is ludacris, this shows he lack of respect of the justice system. By the way Nichols should not serve his time at SuperMaxx, but if he does i think he can ignore what the prison was designed to do to humans! This opinion was written by someone who understands and believes in temporary insanity. Maybe all legalists and jurists should take a few courses in forensic psychology!

By dave

December 13, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

mike - had nothing to do with a legal mis-match. It had to do with the citizens of fulton county not being willing to sentence someone to death - period. While I agree with most of what has been said here, seeking a death sentence by Mr. Howard was poor judgement, if it had been fulton county’s money he wasted I wouldn’t care, but it was the states money he wasted.

By Harold

December 13, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

If I were a judge, I would not work for Fulton County. We can’t let people kill judges and get away with murder without giving up their life in return.

By Writing is on the wall

December 13, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

The jurors are not to blame. This is nothing like the OJ Simpson trial and race has nothing to do with the outcome. This is a classic example of prosecuters wanting so bad to show that they are hard on crime that they held a capital murder after the defendant pleaded guilty and was ready to get this same judgement 3 years ago. The prosecuters were so sure that this was a slam dunk case. This was not a case of innoncence or guilt but more of sane or insane and he was shown to be insane. By both the prosecution and the defense I truly thought he would be dead by now but just let him get into the prison system he is a dead man walking. Just a matter of time where he is killed in a prison attack by other inmates or he will be allowed to try and escape and be killed in the process all paid for by the system. Just like Jeffery Dahlmer his time will come. He should have gotten a state mandated execution but he will surely get a state sponsored execution.

By chaps

December 13, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

Life without parole is an imaginary sentence. Twenty years from now, some kids in law school will take Nichols on as a project and convince some liberal judge to grant him a new trial. By then, evidence will be lost, witnesses will die or be unlocatable, or their memory will fade. Before you can say habeas corpus, Nichols will walk ouy a free man.

By Marty

December 13, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

If any case deserved the death penalty, this is it. That being said, is putting this “person” in a cage for the rest of his life really so bad? Personally I would welcome the electric chair, or needle or whatever compared to spending the rest of my life in a concrete box. It sounds like it will really torture this guy too, as all he seems to think about is escape.

By catlady

December 13, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

The only thing worse B. Nichols could have done would have been to rape and kill a child while he was on his killing spree. 2 officers of the court, one federal officer, and a court employee were killed, for goodness sake! I hold nothing but contempt for the three who allowed (whatever) to blind them. Couldn’t the prosecution have used some of their strikes to get rid of jurors who were against the death penalty? Had they already used up their strikes?

Maybe in a way he did rape a kid—when he offered up his own daughter to plead for him. Dispicable!

Since his care will have to be paid for for the rest of his life, let’s take the cost of it out of the pay for the lawyers. We should not have to pay for the defense of an admitted killer and then pay for his care and feeding as well.

I support Paul Howard in seeking the death penalty. Hopefully the feds will take it on and see that it is completed, along with chosing a less sympathetic, bamboozled jury. No one who kills 4 people in cold blood should be given a pass.

It makes me sick.

By chaps

December 13, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

It is certainly true that killing Nichols will not bring back his victims. However, the purpose of the death penalty is not to bring back the victims. The purpose of the death penalty is not even deterrence of other murders. The purpose of the death penalty is justice and in this case, justice was denied.

By Danny G

December 13, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

Three hots and a cot for the rest of his life on our dime. Sounds like another welfare program to me. I feel so sorry for the victims’s families.

By TC

December 13, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

TO JCS, YOU ARE THE ONE THAT’S THE EMBARRASSMENT. THOSE 3 JURORS HAS THE RIGHT AS WELL AS ALL OF US TO EXPRESS OPINIONS. THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE THAT NICHOLS DESERVED TO DIE BY OUR STANDARDS SO DEAL WITH IT. SINCE YOU HATE GA SO MUCH AND YOU WOULD NEVER BUY PROPERTY HERE, WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE. GO BACK WHERE YOU COME FROM IF YOU STILL CAN. YOU PROBERLY CAN’T BUY PROPERTY ANY WAY WITH THAT LOW PAYING JOB AND JACKED UP CREDIT

By All you people worry about is taxes

December 13, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

why is everybody worried about High taxes while everything around here is inflated

Give him life Not Death Congrats Jury Make these RICH Dummies pay high taxes

By saddened

December 13, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Amazing. I cant believe it. I am not even for the death penalty, but this isn’t a case of an eye for an eye, it is to further protect others in contact with this animal. I don’t think he will live a year in prison without someone taking him out. Population will be want the notoriety of the kill and the guards don’t want to fear their lives having him there. He doesn’t stand a chance in hell. He said a million times he couldn’t live in a cage like an animal. The only reason he is happy his life was spared is because he truly thinks he has a way out. Its like a rabid animal, you have to shoot to save other lives. Those three jurors better hope he doesn’t kill again.

By Dave-y-boy

December 13, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

I just returned from a visit to Alcatraz… WOW . to be honest I dont understand why Nichols is not appealing for the death sentance. Think how you would feel locked up 23 hours a day in one of the rooms in your house for the rest of your life - he would be better off dead.

By Dee

December 13, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

My prayers are with the families who lost love ones. My God continue to strengthen them as they deal with the immeasurable, excruciating pain associated with that horrible day in the courtroom.I also pray for Brian Nichols because he doesn’t know how his actions broke the spirit and shattered the lives of so many people.

By Bill D.

December 13, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

Possibly the greatest travesty of justice since the Alday family murderers escaped the death penalty. Can anyone with half a brain believe that this scumbag murderer has been spared? Not only has his defense cost the taxpayers millions of dollars it will now cost even more to keep his sorry carcass alive for who knows how many years. He has vowed to try another escape and perhaps he should be given such an opportunity under the proper circumstances. It’s just amazing that he ever drew another breath outside the Fulton County Courthouse! He should have never made it to an exit door!

By lucky

December 13, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

This is affirmative action in action.

By Here's the problem

December 13, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

Who cares, while I don’t agree with some of the things you said I do agree with the point that the people at fault here are the guys that probably arrested him that day. I knew that if Brian was caught alive that he would NOT get the death penalty. I’m sure if you were on the jury you probably would have voted for death but it has to be hard for 12 innocent people to vote death on another man. If i’m in there position it would be hard for me to give a vote of death….its different when the shoe is on the other foot.

By RZRBK

December 13, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

Now that they are not going to kill Nichol’s, I think they ought to see if they can rehabilitate him. It would be cheaper to do this and let him back out into society after we know he won’t kill again. Maybe he could go on a speaking tour teaching kids not to go the direction he went in.

By Told you so

December 13, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

This is exactly what I said would happen on a previous blog. The defense knew along with any other half-way intelligent person that it is very difficult to get 12 jurors to vote for the death penalty. I hope the tax payers vote for another district attorney next time around after Paul Howard wasted millions of dollars on this case when he could have went for the life without parole. Besides the death penalty has no place in a modern day society. I am ashamed that we have so many law abiding citizens that love to see people killed. It doesnt help the situation besides he never getting out and thats is worst then the death penalty.

By cookie

December 13, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

Please,people! Do not let hatred destroy you. The Lord said,”Vengeance is Mine.” The jury has spoken. Let’s get on with our lives and hope that we can live peacefully together. This is not the first time people’s lives have been taken and the kind of justice that we had hoped for was not served.

By Debra

December 13, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

I do not support the death penalty. Putting someone to death is not going to bring back the ones who lost their lives. The misfortunate circumstance of those that Mr. Nichols targeted was horrendous, but extreme racial injustice still exists in this country. Unfortunately in the State of Georgia, the death penalty has been misused for such minor offenses as self-defense and stealing inanimate objects that it no longer has any validity even in a case such as this.

By Lets get this straight

December 13, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

I forgot to add something to an earlier comment, but to be honest this outcome has nothing on the Olympic Bomber Eric Rudolph. How many places did he bomb, injuring people and killing people. The guy set off bombs in a nursing clinic that killed a couple of people because he was on his so-called crusade against abortions. I thought for sure he would get the death penalty but boy was i wrong.

By HerbK

December 13, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this

Who are the statemen? The brownshirt nazi’s who determine who and who is NOT heard?

By Concerned

December 13, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Americans are so violent. True Brian Nichols killed all these people and should face the punishment but lets respect the juries decision. Besides, the way the people sound on this blog they probably show up with their children to watch him burn in the middle of town. I thought this was the bible belt.

By Joe Biden

December 13, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Ten bucks says the three jurors the prevented the death penalty are Obama supporters.

By John

December 13, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

The prosecution of Brian Nichols was a greatest waste of taxpayer dollars ever in Fulton County. And, now, Paul Howards wants to get the feds to waste even more. Perhaps Howard should also offer to pay the county back and offer to advance all money for a federal prosecution.

Brian Nichols offered to plea to life without parole years ago. Fulton Court insisted upon seeking the deth penalty, know they were not competent to get it. Perhaps the should have tried to help the victims and the protecting the citizens rather than wating milllions upon millions of dollars.

By Corey

December 13, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

Some of you placing blame where it shouldn’t be. Newsflash - the prosecutors do not get an unlimited amount of strikes during jury selection. Once you have used them all you are stuck with who’s left. And there may have been others who were more deserving of strikes than others - belive it or not, there are some individuals out there who may not even have found him guilty. And after some research, I see the law is that a potential juror cannot be struck for cause SOLELY because he/she is conscientiously against the death penalty. As far as the judges comment that he wished Wilhelm had gotten the draw on Nichols, I have a better one - it would have been nice if the sheriffs department had not left a 5’2”, 200lb, 50 plus year old woman in charge of guarding a tall, physically fit, martial arts expert on trial for forcible rape, BY HERSELF.

By AJB102

December 13, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

Brian Nichols is the absolute poster child for the death penalty. No doubt about it. But, what was the DA of Fulton County thinking seating people obviouly at least having reservations about the death penalty. He’s been shown to be an incompetent in the past. Why would things change now? On the other hand, why did the AJC publish the profiles of the jurors? Because it gets all kinds of people fired up to start spouting all their self-righteous BS. You don’t know that it was those three people who held out. Could be - but you don’t know. If the names of jurors start becoming public, where are jurors going to come from? People will be too afraid to serve for fear that some moron will come and burn their house down. BTW; it costs more to appeal a death penalty than to house the person for severl lifetimes. Do you want to pay Nichols’ bottom-feeding defense team any more than you have already? It would be interesting to know how many who are wishing all kinds of bad things on the jurors, their families and everyone else, sit in a church each week and profess to be forgiving, loving, “you have a blessed day” Christians. It would be more interesting to know how many of you gas-bags could honestly (key word “honestly”) say you could look at a strapped down, incapacitated person in the eye and inject the poison into them to end their life. You all talk a good game, but could you really do it? How about when jury notices go out on murder cases that a public executioner gets picked? It is also interesting that there are less than 100 comments about this, the biggest story in years, but within three hours of the Georgia/Tech games there were 500 comments. Priorities?

By Melissa

December 13, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

I’m usually one that defers to the side of no death penalty, as I’ve seen the travesty we call the justice system in pretty much all of the United State’s history. But, come on, he was on VIDEO TAPE, on AUDIO TAPE, and there were so many witnesses. AND he’s said he wants to escape and kill again… and has shown that he has the gumption to do so.

Why the hell did the jury allow him to live??

By Duane

December 13, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

As I said earlier, Nichols got what he wanted, which was a lifetime to spend as much of the taxpayer’s money as possible. How much has he cost us already and how much more? He thinks he’s hurting “the man” but our black community pays taxes too. Send him to Arizona to work on a chain gang and sleep in a tent. And make sure we never hear his name again. Don’t feed his insanity by printing more stories about him.

By Real Deal HolyField...lal

December 13, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

I understand why the jury didnt give Brian Nichols the Death Penalty….When you look at the the facts preceding the murders…hell we know he did this, but i wanna know did he erally do that rape.

By Doug

December 13, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

Nichols needs the death penalty and quick before he has some sympathetic liberal give him a gun or other help to eacape and create mayhem again. This guy is an animal by self admission. If the life without parole is used he needs to be tried on Federal charges and put in that 8x8 hole in the slammer out west the feds have. The sooner this animal is put to death the beter society will be. My heart goes out to the families of his victims.

By JEFF S

December 13, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

America is the laughing stock of the civilized world because of its use of a barbaric penalty outlawed by every civilized country in the world. Oh yes, they have the death penalty in Iraq and Iran. Lovely to be on a list like that eh.

I live in New Jersey and we had the sense last year to get rid of this barbaric penalty which serves no purpose other than vengence. You look for blame; blame the Atlanta court officers who let a petit court officer armed with a gun accompany this brute to court. If she didn’t have a gun or they had somebody who would be clearly out physicaled (and no it has nothing to do with her being a woman)..then none of this would have happend. But we need a show of force by allowing court officers to carry firearms while commpanying some of these brutes. That is where the negligence came in.

The DA should have accepted the plea and saved everybody all the expenses and the pain endured by the families. He would long since have been put away.

Now we have the DA trying to conspire with the federal government in what clearly is double jeopardy and if this is allowed to come to a federal trial, I pray there is at least one juror with the courage of the 3 who stood up for a civilized America, not the barbaric America so many seem to want.

By ND

December 13, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Why do people think the death penalty is worse than life without parole? Everyone eventually dies, whether the state kills them or they sit in a prison cell for the rest of their life and die of natural causes. Why not throw them in a 10x10 box and let them suffer a little more before dying? The death penalty is a cop-out to me. If I was a criminal who had to choose between dying now and dying after 40 years or so in a prison cell, I’d rather die now and get it over with.

By DAN

December 13, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this

He needs to get what he gave those people

By 48 Hours

December 13, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

If someone as vicious and cold-blooded as Brian Nichols is not given a death sentence, the State of Georgia should abolish the death penalty. No one could ever deserve it more than Nichols does. It would be completely unjust to ever impose death to anyone if this person was spared.

By Sandra

December 13, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this

I am disappointed the jurors were unable to agree on a sentence. At the same time, I was not on the jury and will not speculate or judge the three jurors who were in unagreement on the death penalty. I believe in the death penalty and feel this is a case where it was applicalbe based on all I have seen, heard and read. To me the final compelling point was the phone conversation played that he had since he has been in jail. Nichols is a very dangerous individual in my opinion and all of the psycho babble presented in his defense was a joke. I know what mental problems are and the effect that can have on one’s life. It sickens me when defense attorneys resort to such tactics in efforts to possibly provide an individual of Nichol’s criminal mentality an out.

By DAN

December 13, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

HE SHOULD GET WHAT HE GAVE THOSE PEOPLE

By Kevin

December 13, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

I was quite surprised that the jury didn’t unanimously agree on a death sentence. Well, I’d be okay with a life sentence but this killer should be put to hard labor with 12-hour workdays, plain, school cafeteria-type food, and be given a chamber pot to use instead of a flushing toilet.

By Kaitlyn

December 13, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

Some of these comments are just plain ignorant. I am proud of the three jurors who did not allow themselves to be bullied into making a decision that they were not comfortable with. I am sure it was an agonizing process for all involved and a decision not made lightly. Why demonize the jurors? The prosecution is the one who allowed them to be selected- knowing their leanings on the death penalty.

By Eric K

December 13, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this

can some one tell me why the customs agent widow was not charged for bringing a gun into the court house

By Margaret

December 13, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this

To the families of those killed (Barnes, Brandau, Teasley, Wilhelm): I am so, so sorry that our justice system failed you. You deserve so much more than you got today at his sentencing. I am not going even to write his name here, because he doesn’t even deserve that recognition. As a wife of a Law Enforcement Officer, I can only pray for you and your loved ones as you try to make sense of the injustice that was done by those 3 pathetic jurors. I hope and pray that you find comfort in the support of those around you, as well as those of us in the community who are outraged by how 3 stupid, disgusting and despicable people are allowed to hijack our justice system to their own end. God Bless you all in this difficult time.

By david

December 13, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

i thik that paul howard should have accepted his guilty ple from the beginning he cost the taxpayers of ga . alot of money and he got the same results he was mainly grand standing for the public. paul howard needs to obey the law himself he was in a altercation with a officer of the court and assaulted that person paul howarrd think he is above the law he nees to take a look at himself . we need a change in the district attorners office and that person is paul howard now he says the feferal courts shoul seek the death penalty he is not a prosecutor but a very vengenable person there is no god in him

By TONY

December 13, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

All a waste of money, time, and— especially— emotions for the family of victims caused by the thirst for blood. The death penalty should not be an option. Closure is much further away today for the victims than it would have been if GA was not a death-penalty state. It is sad we live in a country where victims’ families feel pressured, understandable so, to push and desire execution. It serves no one well. This case is a great example. (On the other hand, the victims’ families have been spared decades of ups and downs that come with the appellate and federal review processes. They now can move on because the legal system is done, assuming the local federal prosecutor is more on the ball than the state one is…)

By Shawn

December 13, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

My prayers go out to the family of the victims and to Nichol’s mother and father for having a senselss and heartless son. The DA totally screwed up this case. They were so hell bent on getting the death penalty for Nichols that in th end he got what he offered in the beginning and waisted a hell of a lot of money in the process. Also, remember the defense team had people on the jury that would not vote for the death penalty.
This is truly a sad thing for the family. Nichols doesn’t deserve to be alive. He took 4 lives. Why does he deserve to live!

By Janine

December 13, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

These three should NEVER be allowed to sit on a jury again. My mouth is still just hanging open. I am really at a loss of words. My deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased. Hopefully, Nichols will get his in the next lifetime.

By positivity

December 13, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

I don’t believe in the death penalty. I’m proud of the three jury members that stood their ground.

By tony

December 13, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

Since you guys are so hell bent on giving out the death penalty The blackwater contractors should get death for killing not four innocent civilians but 17!!! Give em the chair!!!!

By Scared of Ya'll

December 13, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

Leave the jury alone! They have not committed any crimes. It is scary to know that citizens of Georgia think the way they do. Those who worte comments about the jurors and Paul Howard are no better individuals than Brian Nichols;capable of murder. Don’t be so angry that you have murderous intentions in your heart.

By Kuru

December 13, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

Now that he has the time, may Brian Nichols use his mind training to evolve his consciousness and bring him into an understanding of existence and social engagement. I hold that vision for him. So many of these posts are no better than the tirade that led to this tragedy. Hate is never the answer. Nothing is impossible, and this is why the Georgia law requires unanimous vote.

By Cheryl

December 13, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

These posts by those who are so adamant about Nichols and what you think he deserves, are exactly why we have the justice system that we have.

Who are you to judge who should live and who should die? Who watches all of the nasty things you do when you think that nobody is looking? When you slap your wife, curse and beat your children, fondle your nieces and nephews, take your drugs, drink and drive, steal from your job, cut someone off while driving, run red lights because you are in a hurry. All of the things that could cause the death of another. Your careless, thoughtless actions that could deprive another of their life.

And who among us wants to be judged for our actions? When a person gets in their car, after drinking and slams into another car, killing someone, should they get the death penalty. Didn’t that person act with malicious intent when they made the decision to drive? Should they die for their actions?

And btw, Nichols crimes are horrible, but in no way make him into one of the worst killers in history! There are multitudes of others who were far more heinous and diabolical than Brian Nichols. Just because he was bad, does NOT make him the worst! Don’t exaggerate, and don’t overdo it! He killed 4 people, that is not anywhere on the list of worst…… not even close!

And again, I pray for us all, because we are in BAD shape as a people!

By Georgia Gal

December 13, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

I hope the feds can get the death penalty against him. I also hope they send him to SuperMax out in Colorado with the likes of the Unabomber and Eric Robert Rudolph among others.

By Call to Action

December 13, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

AJC — Consider adding a tally to your site from this day forward to illuminate the cost of care for new inmate Nichols. This is such a big deal. Do your job by tracking the average cost per prisoner plus healthcare expense, etc… Let everyone see how much we are paying to subsidize his existence.

By Anthony Ravenell

December 13, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this

What Nichols done was wrong, but I don’t see the reason to retry him Federally if a jury of his peers gave him life in prison. Although I don’t like the sentence it is what he received and those who are upset and want to retry him again only want to see his life ended.

By catlady

December 13, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Somebody with knowledge please answer: does he get any appeals on this sentence as he would have if he had been sentenced to death? And,if the feds take over on the federal charge, will the taxpayers of Georgia have to pay for his defense? And if he goes to the out of state prison for maximum security, will the taxpayers of Georgia be on the hook for all his expenses?

By Corey

December 13, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

Some of you obviously don’t understand the law. Your blaming the DA for seating persons who had reservations about the death penalty. The fact is you can’t pick and choose who you want to be on your jury. You have a limited number of strikes to use. And you go in order row by row. If you have for example, 10 strikes, you use them up, and you get to the next person and you want to strike them, THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. As a lawyer I ca tell you that you try to get the best jurors you can, but it is not totally within your control. And for those who said the DA should have never sought the death penalty - do you understand the HUGE BACKLASH he would have gotten if he didnt? Nichols killed a Judge, court reporter, cop, and fed agent. Sure, now that the death penalty wasn’t given, the Monday morning quarterback says he never should have tried in the first place. What you guys need to understand is that there are some people in our society who do not believe in the death penalty, the law says the Judge cannot remove them just because of that, and prosecutors can only strike a limited number of people. As far as the trial is concerned, nobody is at fault. Sometimes the end result can be attributed to something as simple as how the jurors were seated during jury selection.

By catlady

December 13, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

BTW, I sat on a jury in Athens where one of the jurors was a crack addict and she rushed the deliberation so that she could get her fix.

Another jury in Athens I sat on had a man (an illiterate “minister” )who was unable/unwilling, when the time came, to judge the defendant because he “didn’t know what was in the man’s heart”, what his intent was, when he was caught at 2 am repeatedly trying car doors and stealing stuff and putting it into his pockets from the cars he found open.

If you have ever served on a jury you probably know what I am talking about.

By Linda

December 13, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this

I believe the sentence was fair. The case is closed. Why spend anymore public money on this guy.

By tater

December 13, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

nothing new.everyone knew the verdict.i guess we will keep paying for his meals in jail.tax payer dollars wasted once again

By Publius

December 13, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this

These comments calling for the three jurors to be publicly identified clearly come from people who are ignorant of the underpinnings of our legal system. A juror is never to be held accountable to anyone for his/her verdict, ever. This is designed as a protection against tyranny: if one is afraid of being jailed for giving a verdict contrary to the desires of those in power, the innocent could easily find themselves declared guilty and those deserving of mercy might have no chance of receiving it.

Speaking of mercy, this is another ethic that has relatively recently disappeared from the public sphere. Certainly there are those who deserve their punishment, but have we not all done something for which we would rather not suffer the consequences? Think about this the next time you get a speeding ticket: wouldn’t you rather that the officer had let you off with a warning instead? He could have done this. It would have made your life a little easier and kept your pocketbook from getting any lighter.

Regarding the attempt to bring Nichols up on federal charges: THIS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL DOUBLE JEOPARDY. Pull out your Constitutions turn to the Fifth Amendment. In plain English, it states “nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.” No amount of “interpretation” can make the text any plainer, and any interpretation that attempts to add an “except in special circumstances, like those in the Nichols case” is highly suspect, intellectually dishonest, and in conflict with not just the letter but the spirit of this law.

By Mac

December 13, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

While I’ve never been a huge fan of Paul Howard, I don’t blame him for the sentencing verdict. Imagine the criticism had he not moved for the death penalty. It is truly a shame that some of the jurors didn’t see fit to send this guy to the gallows: this crime, while not as sickening as, for instance, the murder of a young child, is horrifying because it struck at the very foundation of a civilized society…the law. People who kill law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, etc., should be first in line for the needle. The decision to impose death, or any sentence for that matter, should be left to a judge and no one else.

By MAymer

December 13, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

So $3 million dollars later, the prosecutor ends up where he would have started…life in prison.

Why not spare us the evidence of his masculinity, and just have taken the plea in the first place.

Atlanta should send the prosecutor the bill!

By BIG O

December 13, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

What’s the point??? Trying him under the FEDS will be just another waste of tax $$$$ just to tell him that we just gave you some more time, that means more on paper than anywhere else. The state trial was a waste of money since he admitted to it all. To seek a death penalty the doing of the Barnes and Wilhelm widows. If it isn’t the truth, then we should have been at this point 2 years ago. Not 3 years and $2 MILLION later. Everything happens for a reason, so sit back and think on that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Anna

December 13, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

Judge Bodiford is a pompous, arrogant fool. This day was not about him, it was about the victims of Brian Nichols. Why do I need to hear about an email he received about a man saying Brian Nichols didn’t need a fair trial? Why do I need to hear about Estonia? Why did he have to keep saying “consecutive to count 1, 2, 3, etc.” when all he had to do is say “consecutive”? He knew the nation would be watching and he wanted TV time. What a waste. However, I am glad that it’s all over and I hope he is in the most maximum security possible because I believe he will definitely be planning an escape.

By justice

December 13, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this

Think about it. This man will spend the rest of his life each day behind prison walls. I have had love ones in prison and freedom is a precious gift. Brian Nichols will never experience this again on the outside. He will be in a world of his own. A very lonely place. Death will come to him anyway in time.