Nichols Sentencing Phase

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – The question in this stage ultimately is, should Nichols die for the crimes he committed on March 11, 2005?
After hearing lawyers' opening and closing statements, and testimony from those affected by the events of that day, jurors will choose life in prison, life without parole, or the death penalty.

On Friday, Judge James Bodiford prepared the 12 jurors and 4 alternates for several more weeks on this case:
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BODIFORD: The second stage is as important, or more important, as the first stage. But I will tell you that based on what the lawyers have told me, that it's not going to be nearly as lengthy.

Bodiford said it's unlikely that this stage of the trial will be over before Thanksgiving, but says the case is moving more quickly than he had predicted.
Nichols killed a Fulton County Superior Court Judge, court reporter, sheriff's deputy, and a federal immigrations agent.

Odette Yousef, WABE News.