OKLAHOMA CITY — Marsha Kight wants the pain to stop. But the prospect of a state trial for convicted Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols only reminds her that it will never go away.
"It seems like it never ends," said Kight, whose daughter, Frankie Merrell, was killed in the April 19, 1995, attack. "The trial will open wounds and cost a lot of money."
Nichols was already convicted and sentenced to life in prison on federal bombing charges in a trial in Denver. In January, he was brought to Oklahoma to face 160 state counts of first-degree murder. Oklahoma County District Attorney Bob Macy is seeking the death penalty.
Some victims' advocates say putting Nichols on trial for his life could just dredge up old emotions and overshadow the opening of a memorial to the victims.
"We will still be dealing with the legal process for Terry Nichols, appeals and all of that, at the 10th anniversary," said Bud Welch, whose daughter, Julie, was among the 168 people killed in the attack.
Wednesday, Nichols will be in a jail cell a few blocks from where President Clinton will help dedicate a $24.1 million memorial to victims and survivors of the blast — the worst act of terrorism on U.S. soil.
The idea of a state bombing trial that could cost millions of dollars and force survivors to relive the event has drawn opposition from some most affected by the blast.
"As a society, I really find it hard to believe that we're not satisfied with life in prison," said Jim Denny, whose young son and daughter were severely injured in the bombing. He said Nichols is being forced to face trial in Oklahoma "just to stick a needle in his arm."
Nichols, 45, was convicted in federal court of eight counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of eight federal law enforcement officers. He also was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.
In Oklahoma, Nichols is accused of the deaths of bombing victims who were not part of his federal trial. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 7.
Nichols also faces one count of first-degree manslaughter for the death of an unborn child whose mother was killed, one count of conspiracy to commit murder and one count of aiding and counseling in the placing of a substance or bomb near a public building.
Nichols' co-defendant, Timothy McVeigh, was convicted on federal murder charges and received a death sentence. State charges have not been filed against McVeigh.
Each of their federal convictions are on appeal, and both bombing conspirators are seeking new federal trials. It is the possibility that Nichols' federal conviction could be overturned that most worries those who want him tried on state bombing charges.
On the Net:
Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation site: connections.oklahoman.net/memorial
Families and Survivors United: heartserv.com/fsu