Bill Proposed to Add Harsher Penalties for Court Assaults

By Jonathan Shapiro

Atlanta, GA – In 2005, defendant Brian Nichols went on a shooting spree in an Atlanta courtroom, killing a judge, a court reporter, a sheriff's deputy, and later a federal agent. It sent shock waves through the state judiciary and legislation is still being hashed out to address courtroom violence.

If passed the new bill would apply harsher penalties for all courthouse assaults on judges, clerks, jurors, and attorneys. Democratic Representative Doug McKillip of Athens is a cosponsor of the bill and says it has the support of all 202 Superior Court judges in Georgia.

"This bill was the creation of the Council of Superior Court Judges and it is being carried by the chairman of the House judiciary committee," said McKillip. "Since it's been suggested by the judges I feel it has a better chance than most."

McKillip says the measure will increase maximum penalties for aggravated assaults on court officers from 10 to 20 years.

The bill would add to other security measures put in place in the wake of the 2005 shooting spree, including the requirement that county sheriffs develop security plans for their local courthouses.