Georgia man pleads not guilty to courthouse massacre (moved from ATSNN), page 1

posted on May, 17 2005 @ 11:39 AM

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We've heard about this gentleman before. He was the one in court for allegedly raping an ex-girlfriend. He over-powering a court sheriff in the court and shot the judge along with three other members of the court. He then held a woman hostage, before she convinced him to give up. He is now pleading not guilty to these charges and prosecution is seeking the death penalty.

today.reuters.com
The man accused of killing a judge and three others in a shooting rampage in Atlanta pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to multiple counts of murder, kidnapping, carjacking and other charges.

Nichols was on trial for the rape of an ex-girlfriend when, according to police, he overpowered a deputy sheriff, stole her gun and then shot Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes who was presiding over the trial.

The former athlete then turned his gun on a court reporter before escaping the building and beginning a 26-hour flight from the police, according to police. Nichols also is accused of killing two law enforcement officers during his escape.

The fugitive eventually surrendered in an Atlanta suburb after being persuaded to do so by a woman he had held hostage.

Prosecutors, who are seeking the death penalty against Nichols, said on Tuesday that they would fight any attempt to have his trial moved out of Fulton County, which incorporates much of Atlanta.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

I dont understand why this guy would plead not guilty. I think its fair to assume there is no chance of him winning this case. Why wouldnt he plead guilty and take the chance of not getting the death penalty?

In a way though, this might work out better for society. A harsher penalty for someone who pleads not guilty. I am just wondering what his defense is going to be.

DeusEx

posted on May, 17 2005 @ 11:42 AM

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It doesn't matter about his defence, there's only one sentence for a man found guilty of killing a cop:

Hang him high.

DE

ChemicalLaser

posted on May, 17 2005 @ 10:51 PM

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A not guilty plea, eh? Why not? It's not like he was caught on video, or witnessed by court officers, or confessed to the crime to anyone, is it?

Perhaps he's still negotiating with the networks for his life's story and needs more material.

They should take this pig, the two child-rapist murderers from Florida, and that guy in Zion, IL who killed his daugher and her friend and drop em off in Afghanistan's no-man's land.

[edit on 5/17/2005 by ChemicalLaser]