Brian Nichols was found guilty of 54 charges including murder, kidnapping and robbery on November 7, 2008. Nichols killed four people after escaping from Atlanta's Fulton County Courthouse during a 2005 court appearance for rape. Nichols was later captured at the apartment of Ashley Smith, a Gwinnett County woman whom he had taken hostage.

On December 13, 2008, Nichols was sentenced to multiple life sentences, to be served consecutively and with no chance of parole. Although Nichols was eligible for the death penalty, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision as required by Georgia law.New York Times: Maximum Sentence for Courthouse Killings in Atlanta (December 13, 2008)

Nichols' murderous escape from the Fulton County Courthouse in 2005 resulted in the deaths of four individuals. Nichols overpowered the sheriff's deputy escorting him into the courtroom, shot and killed the judge presiding over his rape trial, Rowland Barnes, and also killed court reporter Julie Ann Brandau. Outside the building, Nichols shot and killed police sergeant Hoyt Tinsley. Later in the day, after escaping the area, Nichols killed federal customs agent David Wilhelm at Wilhelm's home.CNN: Courthouse Shooter Guilty of Murder, Faces Death (November 7, 2008)