U.S.

McVeigh, Nichols, Fortier Fight Rulings

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

April 13, 2000 / 11:03 PM EDT / CBS

Timothy McVeigh
Click on the photo to see McVeigh's March 13 interview with Ed Bradleysize>

Timothy McVeigh, convicted of eight counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy and weapons-related charges in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Buildings in Oklahoma City, is on death row in Terre Haute, Ind. The U.S. Supreme Court has already rejected his initial appeals, but he is seeking a new trial based on a claim of ineffective council. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court rejected McVeigh's request to bar the judge who presided over his murder case from considering his bid for a new trial. State prosecutors have promised to charge McVeigh with 160 counts of first degree murders if -- somehow -- McVeigh manages to elude the federal death penalty.

Terry Nichols
Click on the photo to read about Nichols most recent failed appealsize>

Terry Nichols, 32, is appealing a conspiracy conviction in the Oklahoma City bombing, for which he is serivng a life sentence. His lawyers argue that Nichols was unfairly denied a new trial because his legal team was not given access to some FBI notes until near the end of his trial. Nichols has been charged with 160 counts of first-degree murder in state court and could face the death penalty if convicted. The federal conviction was for the eight U.S. lawmen killed in the 1995 blast. The preliminary trial begins in August, at which time it will be determined if the case is strohng enough to go forward.

Michael Fortier
Click on the photo to read about Fortier's efforts to fight his sentence

Michael Fortier is appealing a federal 12-year prison term for not alerting authorities about the Oklahoma City bombing. Fortier argues that his sentence was too long and that he shouldn't be held responsible for the April 19, 1995, bombing that killed 168 people. He also argues U.S. District Judge Thomas VanBebber of Oklahoma, who imposed the sentence, was biased and vindictive against Fortier. Fortier pleaded gulty to charges he knew in advance about the bombing plot but didn't warn anyone. He also admitted he helped Timothy McVeigh move and sell stolen weapons and that he had lied to FBI agents after the attack.