Public defender's office closing delayed

The state’s public defender’s council will delay the closing of a metro Atlanta office by one month--the end of July instead of end of June. Georgia’s Public Defender Standards Council voted to hire back some of the lawyers it had planned to cut. Also approved was the placement of seven attorneys set to be laid-off into other Fulton County offices. The office has been slated for closing to help address a cut in state funding for this year.

Nichols' lawyers: no contempt for public defenders office

Lawyers for accused Atlanta courthouse gunman Brian Nichols say they no longer want the state's public defender's office held in contempt of court. The legal team previously had asked for the contempt charge against the office for cutting-off funding for Nichols' legal fees. The Nichols team believes now that the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council cannot continue funding their defense. The judge in the case has already suspended jury selection over the funding issue.

Nichols judge considers contempt charges

In the case of accused courthouse shooter Brian Nichols, the judge said today he will consider whether to hold the state public defender office in contempt for not complying with previous orders to fully fund Nichols’ defense. Nichols’ lawyers have argued the state hasn’t provided enough money to cover his legal costs, which have already reached two million dollars. Attorneys said the defense team hasn't been paid since July 1st. Nichols is charged with killing four people in March 2005 after escaping custody at the Fulton County Courthouse.

Nichols trial resumes today

After delays and continuing funding problems for the defense, the trial of accused courthouse killer Brian Nichols resumes today in Atlanta. The court-appointed lawyers for Nichols have warned that without sufficient resources to defend their client, any conviction could be challenged. In 31 months of court proceedings so far, the Nichols-defense has already drained the state public defender’s office of nearly 2-million dollars. Nichols is accused in a March 2005 shooting spree of killing a judge and court reporter, two lawmen outside the courthouse, and later a federal agent.

Nichols' lawyers want death penalty option out

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.