Nichols' state murder case goes to the jury

McALESTER, Okla. -- Terry Nichols' state murder trial went to the jury Tuesday after defense attorneys argued that he was set up to take the blame for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

The jury got the case after hearing eight hours of closing arguments and was to begin deliberating this morning.

If Nichols is convicted, the trial would move into a penalty phase where jurors would decide whether he should face the death penalty or life in prison.

Nichols, 49, already is serving a federal life sentence for involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy in the deaths of eight federal law enforcement officials in the bombing. He is accused of 161 counts of first-degree murder in state court for the deaths of the other victims plus a fetus whose mother was killed in the blast.

In closing arguments Tuesday, the defense poked at holes in the bombing investigation and argued that prosecutors haven't proven he helped Timothy McVeigh bomb the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

Defense attorney Barbara Bergman said McVeigh was aided by others who set up Nichols to take the blame for the deaths of 168 people killed in the April 19, 1995, blast.

"This is a case about manipulation, betrayal and overreaching," Bergman said. "People who are still unknown assisted Timothy McVeigh."

Prosecutor Lou Keel said in his closing arguments that Nichols did more to gather bomb components and plan the bombing than McVeigh, who was executed in June 2001. Prosecutors say Nichols bought the explosive ammonium nitrate fertilizer used in the bomb and stole detonation cord, blasting caps and other explosives.