It is hard to believe that five years have passed since Brian Nichols went on his murderous rampage in a Fulton County Courthouse. All of America watched in horror as the events of that day unfolded. Nichols, who was on trial for a violent assault on his former girlfriend, planned his revenge on those involved in his prosecution. On the day of his escape, he savagely beat a female officer stealing her weapon. He then went on to kill four people, Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes, his court reporter Julie Ann Brandau, Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Hoyt Teasley, and Custom Enforcement Agent David Welhelm. While escaping he also committed several acts of carjacking and held Ashley Smith captive before turning himself into the police.

Courthouses are supposed to be safe. They are places where decisions that impact lives happen everyday. This rampage may have shaken our faith in the security of our courthouses, but it did not shake the belief in the legal system in this country. Brian Nichols was tried before a jury of his peers, a group of individuals who weighed the evidence against him and found him guilty on all counts. Although many thought that Nichols did not deserve or need a trial, the truth is that the Constitution guaranteed him that right. In the end twelve people did something that he refused to do that day, they spared his life. Mr. Nichols will spend the rest of his life behind bars, and we will spend the rest of our lives wondering why.
So today, five years after this horrific event, celebrate the lives of those who died by showing respect to those whose job it is to keep us safe, our Courthouse security staff. If you happen by a courthouse today, take a moment to thank them for keep us safe and secure. While it may seem like a hassle to have to go through metal detectors and have your effects searched, remember their actions keep us all safe.

Erikka B. Williams
President, Houston County Bar Association

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 March 2010 05:20