Watch CBS News

Remembering Oklahoma City

Four years after that murderous morning in Oklahoma City, they remembered them one by one. The 168 who died and the survivors of this city's darkest day, CBS News Correspondent Bob McNamara reports.

"God bless you survivors," said Pastor Paul Dunn during a memorial service. "What the enemy meant for evil, God is turning for good."

Victim's relatives dropped flowers on the construction site where a permanent memorial is due to open April 19, 2000. It will have 168 empty chairs to symbolize each person killed in the Oklahoma City bombing, the worst terrorist act to take place on American soil.

But as many still struggle to make peace with altered lives and losses, District Attorney Bob Macey has angered some with plans to bring Terry Nichols, now serving life after being convicted in federal court, back to Oklahoma to face state murder charges that could end with a death sentence.

"I don't feel that justice has been done as of now," Macey said. "Do you think that Nichols should get the death penalty? I definitely do."

Bud Welch, whose 23-year-old daughter, Julie, died in the bombing, said all the horror and heartache of four years ago will come back with another trial. "You can't heal when you carry revenge and hate," he said. "The two don't mix, and revenge and hate is exactly why this bomb went off right here."

But Patty Hall, whose legs were crushed in the bombing, hopes a Nichols death sentence will end the nightmare. "At least it won't be dragging on and on and on," she said. "It will be final, and we can go on with our lives as they are."

Plans for another trial are still in the early stages. But many here agree that any legal victory will never recover their personal loss. They will be reminded of that for every anniversary to come.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.