Post by Anja on Jun 7, 2006 1:36:22 GMT -5
Jury can hear alleged killer's confession
A judge Tuesday refused to throw out a confession from the man accused of
killing a judge and 3 other people in a shooting rampage that began at the
Atlanta courthouse.
Brian Nichols made the statement before he had met with an attorney. But
Superior Court Judge Hilton Fuller said he will leave it up to a jury to
decide whether Nichols made the statement voluntarily and how much weight
it should be given.
Nichols, 34, is accused of killing Judge Rowland Barnes and a court
reporter at the Fulton County Courthouse in 2005, and a sheriff's sergeant
who chased him outside.
A fourth victim, a federal agent, was later killed at his home. Nichols
surrendered the next day after allegedly taking a woman hostage.
Nichols has pleaded not guilty, though authorities say he confessed in a
3-hour statement to police.
Nichols' trial is scheduled for January 11. Prosecutors are seeking the
death penalty.
(source: Associated Press)
A judge Tuesday refused to throw out a confession from the man accused of
killing a judge and 3 other people in a shooting rampage that began at the
Atlanta courthouse.
Brian Nichols made the statement before he had met with an attorney. But
Superior Court Judge Hilton Fuller said he will leave it up to a jury to
decide whether Nichols made the statement voluntarily and how much weight
it should be given.
Nichols, 34, is accused of killing Judge Rowland Barnes and a court
reporter at the Fulton County Courthouse in 2005, and a sheriff's sergeant
who chased him outside.
A fourth victim, a federal agent, was later killed at his home. Nichols
surrendered the next day after allegedly taking a woman hostage.
Nichols has pleaded not guilty, though authorities say he confessed in a
3-hour statement to police.
Nichols' trial is scheduled for January 11. Prosecutors are seeking the
death penalty.
(source: Associated Press)