Source: Victim's Widow Brought Gun To Nichols Trial
Posted: 5:49 pm EST November 19, 2008Updated: 7:00 pm EST November 19, 2008
ATLANTA -- Weapons were intercepted on two separate occasions during the past week in the sentencing phase of the Brian Nichols trial, said Superior Court Judge James G. Bodiford.Channel 2 has confirmed the widow of a federal agent killed by Nichols had the gun in her purse. She said she forgot the gun was with her.In a statement released to Channel 2, Bodiford said a gun and a razor were confiscated by security officers from persons attending the trial.
VIDEO: Gun, Razor Intercepted At Nichols Trial
A high-placed source told Channel 2 that Candee Wilhelm was stopped by courthouse security when deputies found a pistol inside her purse as she tried to enter the building Tuesday. The source said Candee Wilhelm, widow to federal agent David Wilhelm, said it was an accident and she forgot the gun was in her purse.Candee Wilhelm was not arrested or taken into custody. No charges have been filed.On Thursday, Nov. 13, officials said a razor was taken from a man at the security checkpoint on the 6th floor of Atlanta Municipal Court where the death penalty case was moved because the Fulton Superior Court was the scene of three of the four deaths.Reports of both incidents were forwarded to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard who will decide if charges will be lodged against the man and woman.The death penalty phase of trial has been taking place this week. Nichols was found guilty of all 54 counts against him on Nov. 7.The jury deliberated for 12 hours before finding Nichols, 36, guilty of fatally shooting Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes and court reporter Julie Ann Brandau in the Fulton County courthouse and sheriff's Deputy Hoyt Teasley just outside the building in 2005. A fourth victim, federal agent David Wilhelm, was killed at a north Atlanta home he was renovating.SLIDESHOW: Courthouse Shooting Victims
The same jurors who found Nichols guilty are deciding between life and death for him. The judge told the jurors the death penalty phase of the trial could go past Thanksgiving. If that happens, jurors will receive a four-day weekend for the holiday.Police said courtroom visitors and press have to go through two security checks to get to the floor where the trial is happening.
A high-placed source told Channel 2 that Candee Wilhelm was stopped by courthouse security when deputies found a pistol inside her purse as she tried to enter the building Tuesday. The source said Candee Wilhelm, widow to federal agent David Wilhelm, said it was an accident and she forgot the gun was in her purse.Candee Wilhelm was not arrested or taken into custody. No charges have been filed.On Thursday, Nov. 13, officials said a razor was taken from a man at the security checkpoint on the 6th floor of Atlanta Municipal Court where the death penalty case was moved because the Fulton Superior Court was the scene of three of the four deaths.Reports of both incidents were forwarded to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard who will decide if charges will be lodged against the man and woman.The death penalty phase of trial has been taking place this week. Nichols was found guilty of all 54 counts against him on Nov. 7.The jury deliberated for 12 hours before finding Nichols, 36, guilty of fatally shooting Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes and court reporter Julie Ann Brandau in the Fulton County courthouse and sheriff's Deputy Hoyt Teasley just outside the building in 2005. A fourth victim, federal agent David Wilhelm, was killed at a north Atlanta home he was renovating.
The same jurors who found Nichols guilty are deciding between life and death for him. The judge told the jurors the death penalty phase of the trial could go past Thanksgiving. If that happens, jurors will receive a four-day weekend for the holiday.Police said courtroom visitors and press have to go through two security checks to get to the floor where the trial is happening.
Previous Stories:
- November 19, 2008: Brian Nichols: I Should Have Shot One More Person
- November 18, 2008: Security Clears Courtroom, Brings In Bomb-Sniffing Dogs In Nichols Case
- November 17, 2008: Nichols, Pen Pal Girlfriend Exchanged 116 Letters
- November 14, 2008: Jurors Hear Nichols Received Nude Pics Via Cell Phone In Jail
- November 12, 2008: Prosecutor: Brian Nichols Is 'Vicious, Cold-Blooded, Remorseless'
- November 12, 2008: Death Penalty Phase Begins In Nichols Trial Today
- November 7, 2008: Brian Nichols Found Guilty Of Courthouse Shootings
- November 7, 2008: Jury Reaches Verdict In Nichols Murder Trial
- November 5, 2008: Prosecutor: Nichols Is 'Cold-Blooded, Vicious'
- October 31, 2008: Juror Removed From Brian Nichols Trial
- October 29, 2008: Witness In Brian Nichols Trial Assaulted In Jail
- October 27, 2008: Defense Rests Following Nichols' Mom On Stand: 'I Wished Brian Was Dead'
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