Nichols Rejects Federal Judge’s Leniency Offer
DENVER — Terry L. Nichols on Monday rejected an offer of leniency in exchange for information about the Oklahoma City bombing, saying it would jeopardize him if he is tried in Oklahoma.
In a motion filed in U.S. District Court, Nichols said his constitutional right to silence is violated by the federal offer since his comments could help a state death-penalty prosecution.
He did say, however, that he would review thousands of pages of government leads that point to another participant in the bombing.
Last month, U.S. District Judge Richard P. Matsch told Nichols he will sentence him to life in prison unless Nichols helps resolve lingering questions about the April 19, 1995, bombing that killed 168 people and injured hundreds more.
Nichols was convicted in a federal trial Dec. 23 of conspiracy and eight counts of involuntary manslaughter, but the jury deadlocked on whether to impose the death penalty, which leaves his sentence to Matsch. The maximum he can get is life in prison without parole.
Co-defendant Timothy J. McVeigh was sentenced to death.
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