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)

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Source: Voice of America

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