Judge Grants Prosecutors Delay of 2 Months to Indict Bombing Suspect

The government has until Aug. 11 to indict bombing suspect Timothy J. McVeigh, a judge said Monday in granting the prosecution’s request for nearly a two-month delay because of the complexity of the case.

U.S. District Judge David Russell did not rule on a similar motion involving Terry L. Nichols, the other person charged in the April 19 federal building bombing that killed 168 people. Nichols’ lawyers had not responded to the motion by Monday afternoon.

McVeigh’s lawyers had opposed the delay, saying the government already has enough evidence to indict the men on an anti-terrorism charge that carries the death penalty. They also claimed that prosecutors would use the time to build their case for trial.

Prosecutors do not have to turn their evidence over to the defense until after indictment.

Russell also ordered both sides to meet to resolve McVeigh’s complaints about conditions at the prison in El Reno. McVeigh has complained that he is under 24-hour video surveillance and does not have access to exercise facilities, and only limited opportunity for “social interchange.”