Former Lawyer says Nichols "Mentally Ill," not "Delusional"

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – The attorney who represented Brian Nichols in his 2005 rape trial said he had some concerns about Nichols' mental health, but does not believe Nichols is delusional. Nichols claims he was insane when he shot his way out of the Fulton County Courthouse on the last day of that trial.

Attorney Barry Hazen yesterday said some aspects of Nichols's behavior during and leading up to the rape may indicate mental illness, but not legal insanity. He also thought Nichols wasn't thinking clearly when it came to his case. Against Hazen's advice, Nichols insisted on a trial, telling Hazen:

HAZEN: A jury's going to love me, I'm a handsome man. All we need is women on the jury, and Barry, you don't have to worry.'

The first trial resulted in a hung jury. Hazen said Nichols became increasingly bizarre leading up to his retrial. In an email he sent to Nichols's mother on March 11th, just before heading to court, Hazen said Nichols was hell-bent on self-destruction:

HAZEN: There is an almost festive aspect to his demeanor right now. I think he is convinced that his testimony, which likely will be today, will carry him through. It's hard bringing him down to reality right now.

It was that morning that Nichols escaped from his holding cell, and shot a judge, court reporter, sheriff's deputy, and federal ICE agent.