Fulton County courthouse shoother could get help with defense

Accused Fulton County courthouse shooter Brian Nichols could get help with his defense if his lawyers get their way. Nichols is on trial for the March 2005 shooting of a judge and three others. His lawyers want a judge to decide whether or not the prosecutors should transcribe 400 hours of taped conversation from Nichols' phone. A ruling is expected on June 13. The judge hearing the case has suggested state law favors the prosecutors. Jury selection for the Nichols trail is scheduled for July.

Free medical care for military veterans

An Atlanta hospital will provide free care to wounded military veterans with brain or spinal cord injuries.

The Shepherd Center will offer a range of testing, care and rehabilitation services not covered by the government. Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus is the philanthropist covering the bill.

Shepherd Center officials estimate that 10-20 percent of troops leaving Iraq have signs of concussion or mild traumatic brain injury.

Nichols' death penalty trial spurs legislation

A special committee investigating a high-profile death penalty case has recommended legislation that would reform how Georgia handles death penalty cases. Republican House Majority Whip Barry Fleming heads the committee which looked into the case of Brian Nichols. Nichols is charged with killing four people two years ago while fleeing custody at the Fulton County court house. His defense has already cost taxpayers 2-million dollars.

Representative Fleming blames out-of-control spending on the part of public defenders.

"This is not what should be expected. This was beyond what should have happened. There was mismanagement that went on in this situation and we want to send a strong signal that we don't want that to happen again."

Additional legislation recommended by the committee would only allow active elected judges to hear death penalty cases.

"Having that local, elected judge involved with his county commissioners who have to help fund this, at some point, we think will bring some responsibility and someone watching the till at the end of the day."

Finally, the committee has recommended the state negotiate a flat fee -- rather than an hourly arrangement for state-paid defense attorneys in death penalty cases.

Nichols judge steps down

The judge presiding in the Brian Nichols murder trial is stepping down. Superior Court Judge Hilton Fuller has quit the case after a magazine article that quoted him as saying Nichols is guilty. Prosecutors have been trying to get Fuller removed from the case because he suspended the trial indefinitely because the state public defender's office cut off funding to Nichols' lawyers. Nichols is accused of killing four people two years ago after fleeing custody from the Fulton County Courthouse.

Lawmakers seek records in Nichols case

Lawmakers investigating defense funding in the case of accused courthouse shooter Brian Nichols want to see expense requests made by Nichols’ lawyers. The special house committee’s aim is to determine whether Judge Hilton Fuller is mishandling the case – and wasting money. Nichols’ defense has already cost more than 2-million dollars. The state’s public defender’s council says Nichols’ case has run their budget dry.