State of Georgia Offers $10,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Apprehension of Brian Nichols

            ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue has signed an Executive Order offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of Brian Nichols.  Nichols is allegedly responsible for today's tragic events at the Fulton County Courthouse.  Text of the Executive Order is provided below.

Executive Order

WHEREAS:     On March 11, 2005, an incident occurred at Fulton County Courthouse in which a Superior Court Judge, a Court Reporter, and one Fulton County Deputy Sheriff were shot and killed, and a second Deputy Sheriff was seriously wounded.                                       

WHEREAS:    The suspect is identified as Brian Nichols, a black male who escaped from the scene and is currently at large.

WHEREAS:    Brian Nichols is presumed to be an extreme danger to the community and the citizens of Georgia and it is critical that he be taken into custody as soon as possible.         

WHEREAS:    Section 45-12-36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotation provides that the Governor of the State of Georgia is authorized, in his discretion, to offer, and cause to be paid a reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of a person who has committed the crime of murder or voluntary manslaughter, where the victim of such a crime was a law enforcement officer acting in the line of duty at the time of the commission of such crime.

NOW, THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IT IS HEREBY

ORDERED:    That a reward in the amount of $10,000.00 is hereby offered for information leading to the apprehension of Brian Nichols.

This 11th day of March, 2005

Signed: Sonny Perdue

GOVERNOR