Lawyers for accused Atlanta courthouse gunman Brian Nichols are hoping a judge will prevent prosecutors from seeking the death penalty against their client. Defense lawyers in a motion filed late yesterday say the request is based in part because they've been told, there will be no more money from the state to pay their bills. The motion says the state public defender's office told Nichols' lawyers only one-third of projected costs would be covered, but that the offer has now been withdrawn. At last check, the Nichols' defense has cost the public defenders council more than 1.8 million dollars. Nichols is accused of the killings of a judge and three others in March 2005. There is a hearing set for this morning.
