Terry Nichols' full statement released

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols said he wasn't trying to ``shift the blame'' when he distanced himself from bomber Timothy McVeigh's beliefs. <br/><br/>The

Wednesday, August 18th 2004, 6:23 am

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols said he wasn't trying to ``shift the blame'' when he distanced himself from bomber Timothy McVeigh's beliefs.

The full text of the eight-page statement Nichols, a Lapeer County native, read to the court on August ninth was made public Tuesday.

During his sentencing, Nichols his views were never the same as McVeigh's.

The rest of the handwritten statement reveals more of the religious beliefs of Nichols, who was sentenced to 161 prison terms of life without the possibility of parole for his role in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that killed 168.

The deadline for Nichols to appeal his conviction and sentence is tomorrow. He is not expected to because prosecutors could seek a death sentence at a new trial.

McVeigh was executed for his role in June 2001.