Attorneys won't get paid for arguing about haircut

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma County's top judge has docked Terry Nichols' attorneys for using court time to argue about whos hould cut Nichols' hair. <br><br>"Such conduct is outside the

Thursday, March 23rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma County's top judge has docked Terry Nichols' attorneys for using court time to argue about whos hould cut Nichols' hair.

"Such conduct is outside the scope of the contract" for Nichols' defense in the Oklahoma City bombing case, District Judge Bryan Dixon write Tuesday. "It is entirely unnecessary."

Dixon docked lead defense attorney Brian Hermanson $92.50 and attorney W. Creekmore Wallace II $33.50.

Nichols, who is facing a state murder trial in connection with the 1995 attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, wants to have his hair cut by Hermanson's wife.

The attorneys argued the haircut motion at hearings March 3 and March 10. They contend Nichols would look bad with the standard jail "buzz cut" and that his safety would be at risk with a hired barber.

"She has cut my hair for 20 years, and my family's ... I trust her with the scissors near my client more than I would trust anyone else," Hermanson said.

Payne County Associate District Judge Robert M. Murphy Jr. is considering the request.

Prosecutors said Nichols should not get special privileges.

Decisions on legal bills are left to Dixon because he is Oklahoma County's presiding administrative judge.