GUILTY GA - Four dead in Atlanta courthouse shooting, Brian Nichols on trial

[Animal04216]

The lawyer would be the person with the most readily available information about his history, family, enemies and victims. Hopefully the lawyer is working closely with the LE and giving any and all information that might help them bring him in.

I would assume that his lawyer would do everything he could to help. These Defense lawyers, Prosecutors, and Judges all are friends, despite which side they might be on.

 

[Animal04216]

His lawyer now speaking. There was a metal shank found in defendants shoe on Wednesday. He feels that security should have really been beefed up after that but it was not. Says security at court house is not good at all. Says that Judge Barnes is the perfect judge--very fair.

 

[concernedperson]

Article and photo from AJC reporter whose car is the one everyone is looking for. He looks a mess but, thank God, he isn't dead.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/0305/11obriant.html

 

[Animal04216]

My mistake earlier about the AJC reporter--he does not have a cut on the side of his face but it really does look like it in the photo! He actually has a cut on the bre of his nose and above his eye. He is talking about it right now on Fox5.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Then he pulled a gun and said "Give me your keys or I'll kill you!"

I gave him the keys, and then he said "Get in the trunk."

I said no. I thought maybe I was going to be killed, but I wasn't going to get in the trunk.

It just seemed so surreal. I was thinking this doesn't happen in real life.

I stepped back and turned to run, and that's when he hit me in the head with his gun. I fell down, and I got up and ran into a Dumpster. I got up again and ran.


AMAZING and so smart. Had he gotten inside that trunk he would have probably been killed for sure, either in a shoot out, being used as a hostage, in a motor vehicle accident or just to eliminate a witness.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Grace: Atlanta courthouse shootings a tragedy

Editor's Note: Nancy Grace appears on CNN.com's Law Center with an interactive column, "Seeking Justice." Her column appears in conjunction with her hour-long CNN Headline News program, "Nancy Grace," which runs at 8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Grace invites a public dialogue. You can respond to Grace by sending comments to "Nancy Grace."


ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Nancy Grace spoke with CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer about Friday's deadly shootings at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta. Grace was a Fulton County assistant district attorney and knew two of the victims, including Superior Court Judge Rowland W. Barnes.

GRACE: I am heartbroken. I've been playing softball with Judge Barnes since 1987 since I was a rookie and the court reporter had just been up here visiting with me just the past couple of months, and I'm stunned.

Wolf, there were a million times we as prosecutors and judges walk into the courtroom going about our everyday business as public servants, and I am stunned. I am stunned about Judge Barnes' death and [the court reporter's] death and the two deputy sheriffs trying to do their job. Everybody keeps talking about how maybe there was an accomplice.

Listen, Wolf, anybody that's been in and out of that courthouse can figure out the lay of the courthouse. It is what it is. The man grabbed the gun and unloaded rather than go to jail on a rape charge. That's what happened.

BLITZER: Talk a little bit about Judge Barnes, Nancy. Give us some personal thoughts that are going through your mind right now.

GRACE: Wolf, I can't tell you how many times that I sat in the stands and cheered a softball game of Judge Barnes. He was a State Court judge for many, many years coming up in the ranks like all of us as a trial lawyer and, Wolf, when he made Superior Court judge, usually, you know, they are political hacks or appointees. This is a guy that everybody said, "Thank God somebody like Barnes finally made the bench. This makes it all worthwhile." All I can say is Barnes was the kind of person that I was proud to practice in front of.

MORE AT:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/11/grace.atlanta.shootings/index.html

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I like Nancy Grace a lot and I'm sure she's stunned - and this probably isn't the best time to mention this, but I will anyway. If you read that article, count how many times she says "Wolf." :angel:

 

[Casshew]

If you read that article, count how many times she says "Wolf." :angel:

It's really a transcript of an interview.. more than an article. It's not like she would write wolf a zillion times.

This Judge sounds like a real decent person - today was a horrible thing and that monster is still out there.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

It's really a transcript of an interview.. more than an article. It's not like she would write wolf a zillion times.

This Judge sounds like a real decent person - today was a horrible thing and that monster is still out there.

Yes, it is - it just caught my attention. I'm just weird like that. I also notice Ann Curry from the Today Show, who says "this morning," about every three seconds. Anyway, this judge sounds like he was one hell of a great judge. I saw this on the CourtTV link:

Barnes, 64, also drew attention last month when he took the unusual step of ordering a mother of seven who pleaded guilty to killing her 5-week-old daughter to undergo a medical procedure that would prevent her from having more children.

 

[concernedperson]

We so often report on the crimes and the manhunt for the monster that the victim's are not as humanized. So, I am posting an article about Julie Brandau, the court reporter, who was killed today. Prayers for her family.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/0305/11courtreporter.html

 

[concernedperson]

"He only wanted to be a judge". Great words from friends that knew him and why I so hope that more good people will come forward to assume the position and more protection for individuals who accept the responsibility.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/atlanta/0305/11barnes.html

 

[ariel7]

"He only wanted to be a judge". Great words from friends that knew him and why I so hope that more good people will come forward to assume the position and more protection for individuals who accept the responsibility.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/atlanta/0305/11barnes.html

This is such a heartbreaking tragedy. That Judge looks like a sweetheart
and sounds like such a great judge! I once had to stand before a judge
that seemed an awful lot like this one--- an awesome, sweet
judge...kinda similar in appearance...the compassion with which he dealt with
me ( I had run away...was gone over a week out of state...) was so touching.
I cannot imagine anything happening to that dear man, and to see this
horrific tragedy to such an obviouly great judge in the news is so hard... So many families forever changed this day by such an evil act.

Very sad,

Much love,

Ariel

 

[concernedperson]

Please click on info about the deputies. It seems that the female deputy wasn't as qualified for a gun that was what she needed for her job. I am a Fulton county resident and I am livid over this. If a sheriff's recall is in order, I am perfectfully willing to sign a petition.

http://www.ajc.com/

 

[englishleigh]

I live 90 minutes from Atlanta in extreme east Alabama, right along I-85, it runs right through our town. We've been nervous all day. This guy could be anywhere, and he's desperate. I wouldn't let my kids play outside this afternoon, I am that wigged out. I feel horrible and I'm praying for the families decimated by this monster. I hope to later tonight hear that he has been wasted by LE... doesn't deserve to draw another breath!!!

 

[concernedperson]

I live 90 minutes from Atlanta in extreme east Alabama, right along I-85, it runs right through our town. We've been nervous all day. This guy could be anywhere, and he's desperate. I wouldn't let my kids play outside this afternoon, I am that wigged out. I feel horrible and I'm praying for the families decimated by this monster. I hope to later tonight hear that he has been wasted by LE... doesn't deserve to draw another breath!!!

You are not alone. I had to go to the post office and was scared as hell. 4 police cars within 2 miles and I made my daughter lock her store and only let in customers that didn't fit the description. Her store is 1.5 miles from the courthouse. We are all on edge. A monster with no restraint doesn't give a high confidence level.

Pray for his capture before the end of the evening or more bodies will be piling up.

 

[Shadow205]

just reported on MSNBC that Nichols made a phone call threatening the DA now. According to the report they are trying to verify that the caller was in deed Nichols but seem to believe that the call was legitimate.

 

[concernedperson]

just reported on MSNBC that Nichols made a phone call threatening the DA now. According to the report they are trying to verify that the caller was in deed Nichols but seem to believe that the call was legitimate.

He is out of control. That is what is so scary. Somewhere tonight there is a potential victim.

That also confirms that he is still in the metro area.

 

[Shadow205]

Lock your doors Concerned and turn on all of your outside lights. Stay safe.

 

[1986]

I live 180 miles south of Atlanta. My 83 yr old MIL is scared to go to bed tonight. She's watched tv all day and is really worked up. I wish they could pin-point him to one location if they can't arrest him.

 

[concernedperson]

Lock your doors Concerned and turn on all of your outside lights. Stay safe.

Done deal, Shadow, I hate to be freaking out but I am. Probably won't sleep well tonight because I will have to have tv coverage all night.

Another thing is coming to mind. A long time ago Chico told me not to be so nice to strangers and I think of the AJC reporter who was pistol whipped because the perp asked for directions to Lenox Square. I give directions all the time and just try to be nice but I may have to re-think everything. And, of course, I just got 2 new listings where I "have" to show property. Maybe things will be better in the morning.