DATE=12/23/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-224484
TITLE=BOMBING TRIAL VERDICT (L ONLY)
BYLINE=LEE FRANK
DATELINE=DENVER
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A FEDERAL COURT JURY HAS RETURNED ITS VERDICT AGAINST THE
MAN ACCUSED OF HELPING PLAN THE APRIL 1995 BOMBING OF THE FEDERAL
BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY. LEE FRANK REPORTS FROM DENVER.
TEXT: IT WAS A MIXED VERDICT FOR TERRY NICHOLS AS THE JURY FOUND
HIM GUILTY ON ONE MAJOR CHARGE OF CONSPIRING TO USE A WEAPON OF
MASS DESTRUCTION, BUT CHOSE A REDUCED CHARGE OF INVOLUNTARY
MANSLAUGHTER INSTEAD OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER.
NICHOLS, WHO IS 42-YEARS OLD, DID NOT .TESTIFY AT HIS TRIAL AND
COULD STILL BE SENTENCED TO DEATH OR LIFE IN PRISON WITH NO
CHANCE OF RELEASE. THE JURY THAT SPENT 41-HOURS DELIBERATING THE
CHARGES WILL RETURN TO DECIDE THE PUNISHMENT.
DENVER ATTORNEY ANDREW COHEN HAS COVERED THE NICHOLS TRIAL AND
SAYS THE VERDICT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED IN
COURT.
/// COHEN ACT ///
A FAIR READING OF THE EVIDENCE COULD LEAD THESE
JURORS TO BELIEVE THAT TERRY NICHOLS WAS SOMEHOW
INVOLVED WITH TIMOTHY MCVEIGH IN THE CONSPIRACY BUT
THAT HE DIDN'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHAT MCVEIGH WOULD DO
WITH THESE BOMB COMPONENTS, THAT HE DIDN'T KNOW THAT
HE WOULD KILL THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. AND I
THINK IF YOU LOOK AT IT IN THAT CONTEXT, IT SORT OF
MAKES SENSE.
/// END ACT ///
TIMOTHY MCVEIGH -- THE MAN PROSECUTORS CONSIDERED TO BE THE
MASTERMIND OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMB ATTACK WAS FOUND GUILTY ON
ALL CHARGES AND SENTENCED TO DEATH LAST SUMMER. HE IS APPEALING
THE VERDICT.
SOME RELATIVES OF THE 168 PEOPLE KILLED IN THE BOMBING HOLD TERRY
NICHOLS EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE DESPITE THE JURY DECISION.
MARSHA KIGHT'S DAUGHTER WAS AMONG THE VICTIMS. SHE SAYS PEOPLE
SUCH AS HER ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH A LESS THAN FULLY GUILTY
VERDICT.
/// KIGHT ACT ///
I AM SURE THEIR HEARTS HURT. I THINK IT WAS A SLAP IN
THE FACE OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, NOT JUST THE PEOPLE
OF OKLAHOMA CITY.
/// END ACT ///
TERRY NICHOLS COULD STILL FACE STATE MURDER CHARGES IN OKLAHOMA
AFTER HIS FEDERAL COURT TRIAL ENDS. THE JURY THAT CONVICTED HIM
IS DUE BACK IN COURT ON MONDAY TO BEGIN DECIDING IF HE SHOULD
SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON OR BE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR
HIS ROLE IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING. (SIGNED)
NEB/LF/KL
23-Dec-97 11:38 PM EST (0438 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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