DATE= 11/3/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222122
TITLE=NICHOLS TRIAL DAY ONE WRAP (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=RICK SALLINGER
DATELINE=DENVER
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO : THE DENVER (COLORADO) TRIAL OF TERRY NICHOLS RESUMES
TODAY (TUESDAY). MR. NICHOLS IS ACCUSED OF CONSPIRING WITH
TIMOTHY MCVEIGH TO BOMB THE FEDERAL BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY IN
1995, KILLING 168 PEOPLE. RICK SALLINGER REPORTS ON THE OPENING
STATEMENTS.
TEXT : ATTORNEYS EMERGED FROM THE COURTHOUSE WITH DAY ONE OVER
AND THE BATTLE LINES DRAWN. AT STAKE: THE LIFE OF TERRY NICHOLS
AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEATHS OF 168 PEOPLE.
THE DEFENSE HAS CONSISTENTLY CLAIMED TERRY NICHOLS WAS NOT THERE
WHEN THE BOMB WENT OFF. PROSECUTOR LARRY MACKEY OPENED HIS
STATEMENT WITH: "TERRY NICHOLS PLANNED IT JUST THAT WAY.."
THE EVIDENCE PROSECUTORS SAY THEY WILL SHOW INCLUDES ITEMS FOUND
IN THE DEFENDANT'S HERRINGTON, KANSAS, HOME, AMMONIUM NITRATE
FERTILIZER, BLASTING CAPS AND PLASTIC BARRELS LIKE THOSE USED IN
THE BOMB. LEGAL ANALYST IRVIN BOX LISTENED TO OPENING STATEMENTS
:
/// BOX ACTUALITY ///
IF YOU HEARD THE FIRST ARGUMENT OF THE PROSECUTOR, YOU
WOULD THINK THEY HAVE A BANG UP CASE THEY HAVE. THEN YOU
LISTEN IN THE DEFENSE CAME BACK AND COUNTER THAT AND YOU
SAY GOSH MAYBE IT'S NOT SO GOOD AFTER ALL.
///END ACTUALITY ///
MR. NICHOLS' ATTORNEY, MICHAEL TIGAR, PRODUCED A CATCH LINE FOR
THE JURORS TO REMEMBER: "TERRY NICHOLS WAS BUILDING A LIFE, NOT
A BOMB." HE BLAMES THE WORST ACT OF TERRORISM ON U-S SOIL ON
TIMOTHY MCVEIGH.
HE HAS ALREADY BEEN CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO DEATH.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE TWO ACTED TOGETHER.
THE PROSECUTION STARTED ITS CASE WITH A SECURITY PHOTOGRAPH OF
TERRY NICHOLS PICK-UP TRUCK, A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE MURROW
BUILDING, A WEEK BEFORE THE BOMBING. THEN, AN AUDIO TAPE OF THE
BLAST RECORDED DURING A MEETING, A BLOCK AWAY.
// BLAST ACTUALITY, IN AND UNDER //
IT WAS A FAR-LESS-EMOTIONAL START THAN THE START OF THE MCVEIGH
TRIAL. BUT THE SOUND OF THE BLAST MADE IT NO LESS DIFFICULT FOR
RUDY GUSEMAN, BROTHER OF RANDY GUSEMAN, WHO DIED IN THE BOMBING.
// GUSEMAN ACTUALITY //
THAT BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES. I WASN'T THERE, BUT IT FELT
LIKE I WAS THERE."
// END ACTUALITY //
THE DEFENDANT'S MOTHER AND SISTER SAT IN THE FRONT ROW OF THE
COURTROOM. THE DEFENSE IS TRYING TO SHOW THAT TERRY NICHOLS IS A
FAMILY MAN. (SIGNED)
NEB / PT-T / WD-T / WD
03-Nov-97 11:38 PM EST (0438 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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