McVeigh, Nichols proclaim innocence

August 15, 1995

From Correspondent Tony Clark

[McVeigh sketch] [Terry Nichols sketch] OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (CNN) -- Surrounded by police, highway patrolmen and U.S. Marshals, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were whisked into the federal courthouse in Oklahoma City. For security reasons, they were arraigned separately.

McVeigh stood straight-faced in the courtroom; his hands clasped behind his back as the charges against him were outlined."Sir, I plead not guilty," he said.

A few minutes later, it was Terry Nichols' turn. With his mother, brother and other relatives sitting in the courtroom, Nichols proclaimed his innocence. His attorney, Michael Tigar made sure everyone understood his client. "You all heard Terry Nichols say in a clear, strong voice: 'I am innocent.'"

[Nichols] James Nichols sat near the back of the courtroom during his brother's arraignment. James was initially held as a material witness in the bombing investigation, as well as on other, unrelated explosives charges. The charges against him were dropped the same day the indictment was brought against his brother. He commented, "My gut feeling. I didn't do anything. He didn't do anything." When he is asked by a reporter, "How about Timothy McVeigh? James Nichols' replies, "I want to see some facts."

The front row of the courtroom was filled with people who work in the courthouse, while Terry Nichols' family sat in the back. Tigar says, "Once again we have seen graphic evidence that it is inappropriate and unfair to ask the people of Oklahoma City and the personnel in the courthouse to sit in judgment on these events."

[Jones] McVeigh's attorney, Stephen Jones strongly agrees. "We cannot get a fair trial in a city where the judges knew people that were killed and where you look around and it appears until very recently a war zone."

Jones has asked for permission to submit questions to all of the federal judges in this district. He wants to gauge the impact the bombing has had on them and their staffs.

Judge Wayne Alley, who has been picked to try the case, says he lost no family or friends in the bombing and attended no funerals. He said the main issue is determining who did it. He added, "I intend to conduct a trial in a fair, objective and dignified manner."

Meanwhile, a new twist has been added to the mystery of the severed leg found in the rubble. There are three small marks or dots on the bone near the knee and investigators don't know what they are or whether they will help in identifying the victim.

The state medical examiner doubts even the most sophisticated tests will determine whose leg was found. Defense attorneys plan to have their own forensics experts take a crack at it.

McVeigh, Nichols proclaim innocence

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