New Judge Promises to Move Nichols Case Along

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – The new judge for the Brian Nichols case held his first hearing with both sides today. He made it clear that he'll move the stalled case to trial soon.

Cobb County Superior Court Judge James Bodiford inherits the case from retired DeKalb County Judge Hilton Fuller. Fuller recused himself in late January, amid public outcry over the time and resources that the case was taking.

At the hearing, Bodiford told lawyers that they should start working as though they have a trial date in mind:

BODIFORD: I'm gonna set a trial date, just like we've done in every case in our entire career, and we'll set a trial date, and then we're gonna work backwards from there.

Bodiford acknowledged the challenges of his situation there's lots to catch up on, and Nichols' defense says they've run out of money:

BODIFORD: I know that I'll be fully briefed, and hopefully I'll make the right decisions. And we're gonna work through these problems. We'll work through the problems and try the case. And justice will be done, whatever that is.

Nichols is accused of killing three Fulton County Courthouse officials, and one federal agent, in 2005.