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

[Shadow205]

From what I have heard, the suspect was in the process of changing into street clothes from jail jump suit before being taken into court room. That was why the shackles had been removed. Why was he being guarded by a female deputy? As a retired female officer, I am not questioning a female escorting him, but I sure don't get it if he had to change clothing. In my training, we never removed handcuffs from a suspect if only one officer was present. Red flags had gone up yesterday on this scum bag so WTH happened?

 

[concernedperson]

A female deputy alone with a dangerous 6'1" uncuffed male prisoner. What were they thinking?

I don't know what they are thinking, but I am thinking recall. Fulton County sheriff needs to think about another job. I am so pissed that I can't see straight. And grieving desperately as there are no easy answers. Ignore me as I am just ranting.

 

[Bhodirasta]

I still can't figure out why he was out on bail!

Unfortunately,
Rape isn't taken seriously enough. I don't think we, as a society, have TRULY TRULY faced just how VIOLENT it really really is...

 

[Shadow205]

He wasn't out on bond, he had been brought from the jail.

 

[Bhodirasta]

He wasn't out on bond, he had been brought from the jail.

I am sorry- for some reason I thought that was the explanation as to why he wasn't cuffed...

 

[concernedperson]

I still can't figure out why he was out on bail!

Unfortunately,
Rape isn't taken seriously enough. I don't think we, as a society, have TRULY TRULY faced just how VIOLENT it really really is...

He wasn't out on bail. He was in custody. He was just dressed in street clothes.For the trial just like Scott Peterson.

 

[1986]

So, if we didn't have this insane policy? law? about letting inmates appear in street clothing, he'd not have gotten out of his cuffs...and if he'd had tried to make a break for it, we'd be able to recognize him in his jail-bird attire. HMMM...maybe we need to rethink this street clothing business.

 

[Bhodirasta]

So, if we didn't have this insane policy? law? about letting inmates appear in street clothing, he'd not have gotten out of his cuffs...and if he'd had tried to make a break for it, we'd be able to recognize him in his jail-bird attire. HMMM...maybe we need to rethink this street clothing business.

Both could be adressed properly if they were made to change inside the jail...
I can understand why some think it would affect a possible fair verdict by how the defendant appears- the law, if it were changed, could possibly effect non violent prisoners- also appeal requests could get hairy.

 

[concernedperson]

So, if we didn't have this insane policy? law? about letting inmates appear in street clothing, he'd not have gotten out of his cuffs...and if he'd had tried to make a break for it, we'd be able to recognize him in his jail-bird attire. HMMM...maybe we need to rethink this street clothing business.

He has already changed his clothing several times. He is still out there. He is on a rampage from tow truck driver to whatever his current attire is.This is a serious situation for everyone in the southeast.

 

[Valindrea]

I don't know what they are thinking, but I am thinking recall. Fulton County sheriff needs to think about another job. I am so pissed that I can't see straight. And grieving desperately as there are no easy answers. Ignore me as I am just ranting.

I don't blame you for being mad. This tragedy never should have happened. It was definitely something that could've been prevented. There's just no excuse for this type of carelessness.

 

[1986]

He has already changed his clothing several times. He is still out there. He is on a rampage from tow truck driver to whatever his current attire is.This is a serious situation for everyone in the southeast.

Where is he getting the clothing? Do you know where to find the story about the phone call to the DA?

 

[Shadow205]

The story about the phone call was on MSNBC at about 7:30pm

 

[Cypros]

I'm trying to imagine how the jurors from the first trial are feeling tonight. Had they not hung -- had they just found him guilty the previous week -- none of this would have happened. I am not blaming them, I am sure there was a reason for those whose resisted the guilty verdict, but they must be feeling horrible right now.

I think I heard that the majority of the jurors in that first jury had voted "not guilty".

There was obviously a big difference in how the prosecution was handling this second trial. I heard one prosecutor say that yesterday Nichols said to her "you're doing a better job this time". He knew he wasn't going to get lucky this time and he was looking for any opportunity to act.

 

[concernedperson]

The story about the phone call was on MSNBC at about 7:30pm

Just so disconcerting. Now they are focusing near to my home. This is a relatively safe area now we are dealing with a homicidal killer.Prayers for his capture with no other incidents. Prayers for his victims..just no excuse!

 

[Cypros]

So, if we didn't have this insane policy? law? about letting inmates appear in street clothing, he'd not have gotten out of his cuffs...and if he'd had tried to make a break for it, we'd be able to recognize him in his jail-bird attire. HMMM...maybe we need to rethink this street clothing business.

The main problem here is the security in this particular courthouse. This guy managed to flee from one building to another, kill some people and then escape down 8 flights of steps through a stairwell with windows so he could be seen from the outside (as per Nancy Grace) and NOBODY stopped him! I don't think he could have gotten away so easily at just any courthouse. This is a problem that the Atlanta LE MUST address. Of course, there are lessons to be learned for everyone here, but let's not throw out the basic rights that we hold so dear here in the US. If we keep doing that we will ALL be prisoners of our own system.

 

[Valindrea]

I'm trying to imagine how the jurors from the first trial are feeling tonight. Had they not hung -- had they just found him guilty the previous week -- none of this would have happened. I am not blaming them, I am sure there was a reason for those whose resisted the guilty verdict, but they must be feeling horrible right now.

I think I heard that the majority of the jurors in that first jury had voted "not guilty".

There was obviously a big difference in how the prosecution was handling this second trial. I heard one prosecutor say that yesterday Nichols said to her "you're doing a better job this time". He knew he wasn't going to get lucky this time and he was looking for any opportunity to act.

I imagine his attorneys must be feeling the same way.

 

[1986]

The main problem here is the security in this particular courthouse. This guy managed to flee from one building to another, kill some people and then escape down 8 flights of steps through a stairwell with windows so he could be seen from the outside (as per Nancy Grace) and NOBODY stopped him! I don't think he could have gotten away so easily at just any courthouse. This is a problem that the Atlanta LE MUST address. Of course, there are lessons to be learned for everyone here, but let's not throw out the basic rights that we hold so dear here in the US. If we keep doing that we will ALL be prisoners of our own system.

With all due respect to your opinion, here's mine....we already are prisoners of the justice system. Victims are abused twice...once by the criminal and then again by the justice system. All of my sympathy is for the victims. JMHO

 

[englishleigh]

He has already changed his clothing several times. He is still out there. He is on a rampage from tow truck driver to whatever his current attire is.This is a serious situation for everyone in the southeast.

My husband and children just got back from getting dinner. I was worried about them being out!!! Geez, this has me freaked.

 

[Cypros]

With all due respect to your opinion, here's mine....we already are prisoners of the justice system. Victims are abused twice...once by the criminal and then again by the justice system. All of my sympathy is for the victims. JMHO

You have a good point, too. I am not really disagreeing with you. I am very much on the side of justice and believe that victims rights are minimalized in this country. I just think we have to be careful not to have a kneejerk reaction that destroys the foundation of our justice system which definitely needs A LOT of work.

 

[concernedperson]

With all due respect to your opinion, here's mine....we already are prisoners of the justice system. Victims are abused twice...once by the criminal and then again by the justice system. All of my sympathy is for the victims. JMHO

'
Me, too. I am tired of cushy answers for the perps. We are looking at horrific crimes with people who try to do justice everyday. The good people. I am horrified as you can imagine and his rights, as I am a victim too, at this point, are nullified. A city is under seige with unanswered questions and I want justice for the crimes he has commited.And I want him arrested. Now!