Judge orders computers returned

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A judge on Friday ordered almost $90,000 worth of equipment used by the defense team for bombing conspirator Terry Nichols be returned to the state. <br/><br/>The order was issued

Saturday, July 17th 2004, 12:02 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A judge on Friday ordered almost $90,000 worth of equipment used by the defense team for bombing conspirator Terry Nichols be returned to the state.

The order was issued by Noma D. Gurich, presiding administrative judge of the Oklahoma County-Canadian County Administrative District.

It covered more than 10 Dell computers bought for more than $30,000, plus related equipment and furniture.

Gurich said a previous order by Judge Niles Jackson, issued in 2001, required that the computers and other equipment purchased by Nichols' lawyer, Brian Hermanson, be transferred to the public defender's office within 60 days of the end of the proceedings in the Nichols case.

Nichols was convicted on May 26 of first-degree murder charges brought by the state in the Oklahoma City bombing. He already was serving a life term on federal charges.

The jury deadlocked on the penalty phase of the state murder trial, leaving the sentencing duty to District Judge Stephen Taylor.

The state wanted the jury to recommend the death penalty, but Taylor can only sentence Nichols to life, with or without the possibility of parole.