| On April 19, 1995 a massive bomb ripped through the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. It was the most deadly terrorist attack ever on U.S. soil. Timothy McVeigh was convicted of murder on June 2, 1997 and sentenced to death. Terry Nichols was convicted of conspiracy and manslaughter on Dec. 23, 1997 and later sentenced to life in prison.
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 The remains of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Associated Press photo. |
Chronology of the Oklahoma City bombing case:April 19, 1995 - Bomb rips through Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building at 9:02 a.m. Timothy McVeigh arrested 90 minutes later on firearms charge after traffic stop near Billings, Okla. Nichols is at his home in Herington, Kan.
April 20 - Authorities release sketches of suspects John Doe No. 1 and John Doe No. 2. April 21 - Federal authorities arrest McVeigh, who resembles John Doe No. 1, in connection with bombing. Terry Nichols surrenders in Herington, Kan., after learning police are looking for him. May 10 - Terry Nichols charged in bombing. June 14 - Authorities acknowledge sketches of John Doe No. 2 are of innocent Army private at Fort Riley, Kan. Aug. 11 - Grand jury indicts McVeigh and Nichols on murder and conspiracy charges. Oct. 20 - Attorney General Janet Reno authorizes prosecutors to seek death penalty. Dec. 1 - Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch of Denver appointed to preside. Feb. 20, 1996 - Matsch moves case to Denver, ruling that McVeigh and Nichols have been ``demonized'' by intense media coverage in Oklahoma. July 15 - Matsch says law establishing closed-circuit telecast of trial is constitutional. He later orders telecast to be shown in government auditorium near Oklahoma City airport. Oct. 25 - Matsch orders McVeigh and Nichols to be tried separately. March 31, 1997 - Jury selection begins in McVeigh's trial. April 24 - Opening statements begin. May 21 - Prosecutors rest their case after calling 137 witnesses in 18 days. May 28 - Defense rests after calling 25 witnesses in 3 1/2 days. May 29 - Closing arguments. May 30 - Jurors begin deliberations. June 2 - Jury convicts McVeigh on all 11 counts after deliberating 23 1/2 hours over four days. June 13 - Jury condemns McVeigh to die by injection Aug. 14 - McVeigh formally sentenced to death, telling the judge the government ``teaches the people by its example.'' Sept. 29 - Jury selection in Nichols' trial. Nov. 3 - Opening statements begin. Dec. 2 - Prosecutors rest their case after calling 98 witnesses in 20 days. Dec. 11 - Defense rests after calling 92 witnesses in 8 days. Dec. 15-16 - Closing arguments. Dec. 23 - Nichols convicted of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter but acquitted of weapons and explosives charges. January 7, 1998 - Nichols escaped the death penalty when the jury deadlocked on his sentence. This means the judge will impose a sentence but that it will be something less than death. |
