First Oklahoma City Bombing Trial Is Set
Oklahoma City bombing suspect Timothy J. McVeigh will go on trial March 31, less than a month before the second anniversary of an attack that killed 168 people, officials said Friday.
McVeigh and co-defendant Terry L. Nichols will be tried separately for the April 19, 1995, bombing. No date has been set yet for Nichols’ trial.
“We thought it was important to start before the second anniversary,” U.S. Atty. Patrick Ryan said.
McVeigh’s attorney, Stephen Jones, declined to answer directly whether the judge will sequester the jury but did say he had not wanted the jury sequestered and would be “pleased” when the judge’s order is formally entered.
Lead prosecutor Joseph Hartzler said U.S. District Judge Richard P. Matsch imposed the date after the two sides failed to reach an accord.
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