Prosecutors build their case for execution of Brian Nichols

Metro Atlanta

Prosecutors build their case for execution of Brian Nichols

The sentencing phase of the Brian Nichols murder trial is underway in Atlanta. Nichols was found guilty of murder in the Fulton County Courthouse shootings.

In court for the first day of the penalty phase were Claudia Barnes, widow of slain Judge Rowland Barnes. Behind her (left) are Trudy Brandau and Christina Sholte.

Brian Nichols (right) speaks with defense attorney Henderson Hill while waiting for the jury to enter following a break.

Prosecutor Michele McCutcheon holds Brian Nichols' assault rifle while she questions a witness in the penalty phase of Nichols' trial.

Prosecutor Michele McCutcheon holds a bag of marijuana belonging to Brian Nichols while questioning witness Amanda Grihm.

Debra Teasley (left) and Claudia Barnes (right) listen to Amanda Grihm's testimony.

Defense attorney Penny Marshall and Brian Nichols talk.

James Bodiford, the judge in Brian Nichols' trial, berates the defense team while addressing a brief the defense filed last week, which made accusations of misconduct by the prosecution.

Brian Nichols listens to testimony during the sentencing phase of his trial.

After an absence from the courtroom last week while family history was discussed by other witnesses, Brian Nichols' parents, Claritha Nichols and Gene Nichols returned to the courtroom spectators area.

Judge James Bodiford talks with defense attorney Henderson Hill (left) and prosecutor Kellie Hill.

A courtroom video monitor displays a photo of Brian Nichols when he was a football player at Newberry College in South Carolina in the early 1990s.

Terrence Tyson bites his lip during a confrontational interrogation by prosecution attorneys.

Sherrie Coleman Rollins, a cousin of Brian Nichols, describes her battle with drugs and alcohol and how the use of those substances affected her family.

Abdul-Rahmaan Waajid, a first cousin of Brian Nichols, holds an old family photo in his hand as he testifies about the extended family when he and Nichols were children. Mr. Waajid had requested through the judge that his face not be shown due to the nature of testimony about some sexual improprieties, drug use and alcohol use that allegedly happened within the family many years ago.

Dr. Richard G. Dudley Jr. testfies as the screen behind him shows schools photos of Brian Nichols in military school (left) and high school. Dudley testfied that Nichols was sexually abused as a child and neglected during much of his childhood.

Claudia Barnes (left), widow of Judge Rowland Barnes, talks with Rosie Lee Darden (right), mother of courthouse shooting victim Sgt. Hoyt Teasley during proceedings.

Claudia Barnes, widow of slain judge Rowland Barnes, told the jury and Brian Nichols the effect of her husband's death.

Kiley Barnes, daughter of Rowland Barnes, testifies.

Deona Teasley (left) and Deborah Teasley, daughter and widow of slain deputy Hoyt Teasley, listen to testimony.

Candee WIlhelm, widow of slain federal agent David Wilhelm, reads her impact statement.

Allison Wilhelm (left), sister of slain federal agent David Wlihelm, and Candee Wilhelm, David Wilhelm's widow, watch testimony.

Christina Greenway, daughter of slain court reporter Julie Ann Brandau, cries while testifying.

Claritha Nichols, Brian Nichols' mother, listens to testimony.

Lisa Meneguzzo looks at Henderson Hill holding the book "Escape and Evasion" during the Brian Nichols' trial. The book was one Nichols wanted Meneguzzo to get for him, she said.

Defense attorney Henderson Hill (left) Judge James Bodiford (center) and prosecutor Clint Rucker confer at the bench.

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In court for the first day of the penalty phase were Claudia Barnes, widow of slain Judge Rowland Barnes. Behind her (left) are Trudy Brandau and Christina Sholte.

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