New twist to Nichols shooting case

The judge in the Brian Nichols murder case removed one of the jurors after two other jurors said she talked about a jailhouse beating Tuesday night of prosecution witness Willie Tiller Jr. Tiller was a Nichols cellmate who testified that Nichols planned to kill the judge presiding over his rape case. Superior Court Judge James Bodiford said Friday, "I'm scared of her going back in the jury room and saying something else." He added, "We're in trouble. This case is in trouble." Bodiford found out that three jurors had overheard Juror No. 5's remarks. The defense and prosecution in the Nichols case rested Friday after five weeks of testimony. Jurors are expected to return Wednesday to hear closing arguments from both sides. Nichols is accused of fatally shooting Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes and court reporter Julie Ann Brandau in the courthouse March 11, 2005, and sheriff's Deputy Hoyt Teasley just outside the building. A fourth victim, federal agent David Wilhelm, was killed at a north Atlanta home he was renovating.

(Associated Press)