February 1, 1996
Web posted at: 3:00 p.m. EST
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (CNN) -- An Oklahoma jury would be more likely to convict the two suspects in the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building, because of the extensive statewide publicity, a defense expert says.
There were far fewer articles published on the bombing in a city like Denver, Colorado, Dr. Steven Penrod testified Thursday. That's one of the places suggested by the defense as a better site for the trial.
Thursday marked the third day of hearings to decide where the trial will be held. Both sides agree that the current trial site of Lawton, Oklahoma, is unsuitable because its 90-year- old federal courthouse is inadequate. It would need more than $1 million in renovations to handle such a trial, officials estimated.
The prosecution supports Tulsa as a trial site; the defense wants the trial moved out of state. Judge Richard Matsch, who is from Denver, is not expected to make a final decision for at least a month.
Suspects Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols are charged with murder, terrorism and conspiracy in the April 19, 1995, bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah federal building that killed 169 people. They could receive the death penalty, if convicted.
Newspapers in Oklahoma City, Lawton and Tulsa carried many more pictures of victims as well as stories about eyewitness accounts than did the Denver Post. Such publicity leads "to higher conviction rates," he said.
On Wednesday, Jennifer McVeigh, Timothy's sister, held a news conference to defend her brother's courtroom demeanor. (102K AIFF sound or 102K WAV sound)
He has been criticized by some family members of victims. She also accused the media of "demonizing" her brother. (136 AIFF sound or 136 WAV sound)
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