July 13, 1995
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (CNN) -- The Justice Department has notified attorneys for Oklahoma City bomb suspect Terry Nichols it will consider seeking the death penalty against him if he is convicted, sources told CNN.
One source said the wording of the letter was identical to that sent to Timothy McVeigh, his former army buddy and the only other suspect now being held in the April 19 federal building blast that led to 168 deaths.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick told reporters in Washington the notice is just the beginning of the agency's procedure for reviewing evidence prior to deciding whether to seek the death penalty in capital cases.
Nichols' attorney Michael Tigar would not comment on the letter. "Any talking we have to do, we will do in court," he told CNN.
In Las Vegas, Nichols' ex-wife Lana Padilla had this reaction to the government notice on a possible death penalty case when approached by CNN reporter Bob Vito.
"It's not unexpected. All along we knew that possibility existed and whoever did this should be punished."
"Even if it's your ex-husband?" Vito asked.
"Whoever is responsible should be punished," she responded.
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