State Rests in Nichols Trial

Prosecutors rested their case Friday in the state murder trial of Terry L. Nichols, who they argued was deeply involved in plans to bomb the Oklahoma City federal building.

Prosecutors presented evidence over 29 days that they said linked Nichols to the attack. He faces possible execution if convicted.

The defense begins making its case Thursday and may call as many as 200 witnesses.

Doctors who performed autopsies on bombing victims wrapped up prosecutors’ testimony, describing how some victims died of decapitation and traumatic injuries, such as severed limbs and skull fractures.

The April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building killed 168 people and injured more than 500 others. Timothy J. McVeigh was convicted of murder in federal court and executed.

Nichols, 49, is serving a life prison sentence after a federal jury convicted him of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of eight federal agents in the bombing.

In the state trial, he is charged with 161 counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of the other 160 victims and one victim’s fetus. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

If Nichols is convicted, the trial will begin a new phase to decide whether he is sentenced to death or life in prison.

The state’s star witness, Michael Fortier, testified over three days that McVeigh told him Nichols was deeply involved in plans for the bombing. Fortier, McVeigh and Nichols met in the Army.

Fortier is serving a 12-year sentence for not telling authorities what he knew about the bomb plot.