U.S. Says Nichols Helped Build Bomb
Terry L. Nichols helped build the bomb that blew up the Oklahoma City federal building and took part in a robbery that paid for the plot, prosecutors said in defending their call for the death penalty.
Prosecutors also filed a motion seeking to use statements from Michael and Lori Fortier, saying they prove Nichols was a co-conspirator in the bombing that took 168 lives on April 19, 1995.
Defense attorneys have challenged the death penalty notice, saying there was no evidence that Nichols was a major participant in the bombing.
Prosecutors countered in motions filed Friday and made public Tuesday that Nichols played a key role, acquiring fertilizer and other components for the bomb, robbing a firearms dealer to finance the bombing and helping co-defendant Timothy J. McVeigh drop off the getaway car.
Prosecutors also said for the first time there is evidence that Nichols “constructed the bomb.”
McVeigh has already been sentenced to death. A jury in June found him guilty of murder and conspiracy.
Nichols is facing identical charges. His case is scheduled to go to trial Sept. 29.
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