29 Facts About Brian Nichols

Brian Gene Nichols was born on December 10,1971 and is a convicted murderer known for his escape and killing spree in the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 11,2005.

Twenty-six hours after a large-scale manhunt was launched in the metropolitan Atlanta area, Brian Nichols was taken into custody.

Brian Nichols grew up in a middle class household in Baltimore, Maryland, and attended Cardinal Gibbons School.

Brian Nichols later attended Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, from 1989 to 1990, where he played football and was known for having a "knack for trouble".

Brian Nichols dropped out of college and moved to Georgia in 1995, where he worked for Hewlett-Packard and UPS.

On March 11,2005, Brian Nichols overpowered Sheriff Deputy Cynthia Hall while changing clothes at the Fulton County Courthouse.

Brian Nichols stole her Glock service pistol and beat her into a coma.

Brian Nichols had previously attempted to sneak "shanks" into the courtroom via his shoes.

Brian Nichols changed into civilian clothes originally intended for use during the trial.

Brian Nichols encountered case managers Susan Christy and Gina Clarke Thomas and attorney David Allman, whom he held at gunpoint and demanded lead him to Barnes's chambers.

Sergeant Grantley White attempted to disarm Brian Nichols but failed and was forced to handcuff the others.

White set off an alarm which Brian Nichols attempted to dispel using White's radio.

Brian Nichols progressed into the courtroom where he fatally shot Barnes and court reporter Julie Ann Brandau.

Brian Nichols fatally shot Sergeant Hoyt Teasley while escaping the courthouse.

Brian Nichols stole several vehicles during his escape and was featured on America's Most Wanted during his manhunt.

Brian Nichols attempted to kidnap a young woman as she was walking home from a gymnasium.

Later that day, Nichols fatally shot ICE Special Agent David G Wilhelm and stole his badge, gun, and pickup truck.

Brian Nichols gave Nichols methamphetamine and read portions of The Purpose Driven Life to him.

Brian Nichols tried convincing Nichols to turn himself in by telling him about her husband's death, and showing him a scar she got in a car wreck while under the influence of drugs.

Brian Nichols was taken to a Federal Bureau of Investigation field office in Decatur, Georgia, and then to an Atlanta Police Station, where he confessed on video and detailed his crimes.

On May 5,2005, Brian Nichols was indicted by a Fulton County grand jury on 54 counts, including murder, felony murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, theft, carjacking, and escape from authorities.

Brian Nichols initially pled not guilty, with his lawyers stating that they wanted to defend Brian Nichols on the basis of mental health.

Brian Nichols became Georgia's most expensive defendant, with his case topping $3 million for the prosecution and defense combined.

The trial began on September 22,2008, in Atlanta Municipal Court, where Brian Nichols pled not guilty by reason of insanity.

Brian Nichols admitted the shootings in a statement to police, but claimed the shooting of Wilhelm was due to the special agent pointing a gun at him.

Psychology experts testified that Brian Nichols had an abusive childhood and that his father's drug abuse led to Brian Nichols abusing drugs as well.

The defense provided college papers written by Brian Nichols expressing conspiracy theories that white people were conspiring to eradicate the black race.

On December 13,2008, Brian Nichols was sentenced to multiple life sentences with no chance of parole.

Brian Nichols was spared multiple death sentences when the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision, as required by Georgia law, to recommend the death penalty.