Brian Nichols Sentencing

Metro Atlanta

Brian Nichols Sentencing

Photos of Brian Nichols sentencing.

Convicted killer Brian Nichols escaped the death penalty after a jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Bodiford had urged the jury to reach a unanimous decision. The jury deadlocked with nine favoring death penalty and three favoring life without parole.

Claudia Barnes, widow of judge Barnes, listens during the verdict.

Candee Wilhelm, widow of slain federal agent David Wilhelm, leaves the Atlanta Municipal Court Building.

Claudia Barnes, widow of slain Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes, leaves the court building.

Assistant district attorney Clint Rucker reacts during the verdict. The prosecution pushed for the death penalty but fell three votes shy.

Fulton County juries have handed out death sentences twice in the last eight years. Here, Betty Wilhelm, mother of David Wilhelm, shows emotion as she learns the verdict.

Claudia Barnes wears a bracelet with the last names of the people slain by Nichols during his March 11, 2005 spree.

The jury deliberated for four days. On Friday evening, Bodiford gave them two hours to reach a unanimous decision. But the remained deadlocked at 9-3. Justin Greenway comforts his wife Christina Greenway, daughter of slain court reporter Julie Brandau.

Rosie Lee Darden (right), mother of Sgt. Hoyt Teasley and Deborah Teasley show their disappointment.

Truday Brandau, Julie Brandau's sister, covers her eyes as she hears the verdict.

Candee Wilhelm, widow of David Wihelm reacts during the verdict.

Defense attorney, Robert McGlasson (left) and Brian Nichols read the note Judge James Bodiford wrote to the jury.

Claritha and Gene Nichols, parents of Brian Nichols, listen as Judge James Bodiford talks.

Candee Wilhelm (foreground), widow of David Wihelm and Deborah Teasley (background), widow of Sgt. Hoyt Teasley, react as Judge James Bodiford reads a note from the jury.

Allison Wilhelm (left, sister in law of David) and Patrick Wilhelm (behind, brother of David) react.

Defense lawyers said Bodiford had a duty to declare the jury hung and impose a life sentence. Here, members of the defense team Penny Marshall (foreground right) and Henderson Hill talk.

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Convicted killer Brian Nichols escaped the death penalty after a jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

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