Lawyers for accused Atlanta courthouse gunman Brian Nichols want their client to plead guilty and avoid the death penalty.
Brian Nichols' lawyers are asking the court to consider a guilty plea because, they say, they may not have enough money to defend him in the death penalty trial.
They say Nichols is willing to give up his right to a trial if prosecutors agree not to seek the death penalty.
In their court filings, the defense attorneys also demand assurances that there will be enough state funds to pay their costs during the trial.
Nichols defense already has cost the state nearly 2 million dollars, and, officials say, it is draining the state's public defender budget.
Nichols laywers say if the money isn't guaranteed, the judge should consider barring prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.
The trial was postponed already in March by the judge because of funding problems.
A spokeswoman for Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard had NO immediate comment.
The trial is now scheduled to start in September.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Nichols lawyers say spare life to save money
