Prosecution Attempts to Debunk Nichols Insanity Defense

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – Yesterday, the state tried to punch holes in the insanity defense offered by Brian Nichols's key defense witness.

The cross examination will continue today.

Psychologist Mark Cunningham has testified that Nichols shot his way out of Fulton County's Courthouse in 2005 because he believed he was a slave rebelling against the U.S. government.

Prosecutor Kellie Hill attempted to pick that theory apart, examining each decision Nichols made during his escape. She asked why Nichols didn't kill Sargent Grantley White, a government employee, when White found him armed in Judge Rowland Barnes's chambers before the shootings.

HILL: In this defendant's war, you're telling me that after he has declared war on the government, because he thought one of the enemy combatants was a nice guy, he didn't shoot him and kill him?
CUNNINGHAM: Yes, ma'am.
HILL: OK. And you believe that is consistent with someone who claims to be delusional and at war with the United States government?

Cunningham stuck to his opinion that Nichols suffered from a delusional compulsion during the escape.

Nichols is charged with killing 4 people.