From Deseret News archives:
Nichols is captured in Atlanta
In the span of 26 hours, it is suspected, Nichols shot and killed a judge, a court reporter and a deputy and wounded another deputy, carjacked four people, then slipped through a police dragnet downtown by taking the MARTA train north to Buckhead.
It is believed he then attacked two people Friday night, killed an off-duty federal agent and held a woman hostage for more than seven hours early Saturday morning in her apartment, authorities said. Police said the woman talked to Nichols about family and religion and persuaded him to release her.
He faces a slew of charges from two metro Atlanta counties and the federal government. Both federal and state prosecutors can seek the death penalty in murder cases that involve the death of law enforcement agents.
"We are determined that we will bring the murderer of these people to justice," said David Nahmias, who heads the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta.
Nichols, 33, had been on trial for rape and other violent felonies before he allegedly grabbed a deputy's gun Friday morning.
The mayhem began Friday about 9 a.m. on the eighth floor of the Fulton County Courthouse. Authorities say Nichols, changing into civilian clothes for his retrial on rape charges, overpowered and shot Cynthia Hall, a 51-year-old deputy guarding him.
He ran down the hall to the chambers of Judge Rowland Barnes, where he held several people hostage and overpowered another deputy, taking his gun as well, according to police. They say he then walked into Barnes' adjacent courtroom and, without saying a word, shot the 64-year-old jurist to death. Police say he then shot and killed Julie Ann Brandau, 46, the court reporter.
He ran from the courthouse and killed Fulton County sheriff's Sgt. Hoyt Teasley, 43, who tried to stop him outside the building, authorities say. After seizing several cars, including two from employees of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Nichols disappeared.
Police launched a massive search for a green Honda Accord, which police said Nichols stole from a Journal-Constitution reporter after pistol-whipping him. More than 12 hours later, the car was found — parked in the same garage from which it had been stolen.
In the intervening hours, investigators now believe, Nichols took a MARTA train to Buckhead, Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington said Saturday. MARTA police are reviewing surveillance videotapes looking for Nichols.
