Hearing held on status of Terry Nichols' trial

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The preliminary hearing for Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols is on track to begin May 5th. <br><br>District Judge Allen McCall met with prosecution and defense attorneys

Friday, April 11th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The preliminary hearing for Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols is on track to begin May 5th.

District Judge Allen McCall met with prosecution and defense attorneys Friday morning and says he sees nothing to delay the start of the hearing.

There have been numerous delays in previously scheduled preliminary hearings. The hearing will determine whether Nichols will be tried on state murder charges for his role in the 1995 bombing.

Assistant District Attorney Sandra Howell-Elliott says the state plans to call 31 witnesses during the preliminary hearing.

McCall also addressed media concerns that the media and public be allowed to watch the hearing. The media and public have been excluded from some hearings and some documents in the case have been filed under seal.

Nichols is charged with 160 counts of first-degree murder in the bombing and faces the death penalty if convicted.

He's serving a life sentence on federal convictions for his role in the bombing.