Brian Nichols

Brian Gene Nichols (born December 10, 1971) is an accused rapist and convicted murderer known for his escape and killing spree in the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 11, 2005.

Nichols was on trial for rape when he escaped custody and murdered the judge presiding over his trial, a court reporter, a Fulton County Sheriff's deputy, and later an ICE special agent.

Twenty-six hours after a large-scale manhunt was launched in the metropolitan Atlanta area, Nichols was taken into custody.

He later attended Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, from 1989 to 1990, where he played football and was known for having a "knack for trouble".

Nichols dropped out of college and moved to Georgia in 1995, where he worked for Hewlett-Packard and UPS.

Nichols was arrested on multiple charges for the rape, kidnapping, and assault of a former girlfriend after discovering that she was dating a minister from the church that they both attended.

The first attempt at a trial ended with a mistrial and a hung jury.

While awaiting a second trial, friends and family members of Nichols expressed concern that he would attempt to escape, having tried to formulate an escape plan with a friend.

On March 11, 2005, Nichols overpowered Sheriff Deputy Cynthia Hall while changing clothes at the Fulton County Courthouse.

He stole her Glock service pistol and beat her into a coma.

Nichols had previously attempted to sneak "shanks" into the courtroom via his shoes.

Nichols changed into civilian clothes originally intended for use during the trial.

Nichols encountered case managers Susan Christy and Gina Clarke Thomas and attorney David Allman, whom he held at gunpoint and demanded lead him to Barnes's chambers.

Sergeant Grantley White attempted to disarm Nichols but failed and was forced to handcuff the others.

White set off an alarm which Nichols attempted to dispel using White's radio.

Nichols progressed into the courtroom where he fatally shot Barnes and court reporter Julie Ann Brandau.

He fatally shot Sergeant Hoyt Teasley while escaping the courthouse.

Nichols stole several vehicles during his escape and was featured on America's Most Wanted during his manhunt.

A reward of $65,000 was announced for anyone who gave information leading to Nichols's arrest.

Nichols attempted to kidnap a young woman as she was walking home from a gymnasium.

He fled after her boyfriend defended her and he heard her call 9-1-1.

Later that day, Nichols fatally shot ICE Special Agent David G. Wilhelm and stole his badge, gun, and pickup truck.

Police received a 9-1-1 call from Ashley Smith, a young woman who said Nichols was at her Duluth, Georgia, apartment.

Law enforcement responded and Nichols surrendered.

Authorities recovered several stolen firearms and Special Agent Wilhelm's wallet.

The stolen truck was discovered about two miles from the apartment.

Smith told police Nichols had forced his way into her apartment on March 12, and held her hostage at gunpoint for seven hours.

She gave Nichols methamphetamine and read portions of The Purpose Driven Life to him.

She tried convincing Nichols to turn himself in by telling him about her husband's death, and showing him a scar she got in a car wreck while under the influence of drugs.

After she made him pancakes for breakfast, Nichols allowed Smith to leave to see her daughter, whereupon she called police.

Smith received reward money for her assistance in Nichols's capture.

Nichols was taken to a Federal Bureau of Investigation field office in Decatur, Georgia, and then to an Atlanta Police Station, where he confessed on video and detailed his crimes.

On May 5, 2005, Nichols was indicted by a Fulton County grand jury on 54 counts, including murder, felony murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, theft, carjacking, and escape from authorities.

Nichols initially pled not guilty, with his lawyers stating that they wanted to defend Nichols on the basis of mental health.

Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced he would seek the death penalty.

Nichols became Georgia's most expensive defendant, with his case topping $3 million for the prosecution and defense combined.

The case was presided over by Superior Court Judge Hilton Fuller and was set to take place in July in the same courtroom in which the murders had taken place.

The trial was placed on hold to find new accommodation, as Superior Court Judge James Bodiford ruled that "fundamental fairness" made a different location necessary.

The prosecution charged him with committing 54 crimes during the escape; he was found guilty on all counts on November 7, 2008 and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

Nichols grew up in a middle class household in Baltimore, Maryland, and attended Cardinal Gibbons School.