Taxpayers spend more than $6 million on Terry Nichols' defense

Saturday, July 30th 2005, 8:23 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A published report says American taxpayers paid nearly $6.3-million for Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols to defend himself in federal court.

The Oklahoman reports that the costs associated with Nichols' trial have been concealed until his state case was completed.

Presiding Federal Judge Richard Matsch and the Tenth US Circuit Court of Appeals released the defense totals after media requests.

Nichols was convicted of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter in the April 19th, 1995, bombing that killed 168 and injured more than 500.

Nichols's federal defense attorney -- Michael Tigar was paid $125 an hour. He told The Oklahoman that he tried to economize but much money was spent on attempts to get information from the government.

Taxpayers spent $15-million on bomber Tim McVeigh's trial and $4.12-million was spent on Nichols' state trial.

It cost the government more than $82-million to investigate and prosecute the cases.