Terry Nichols Outlined His Role in OKC Bombing for Prosecutors

By Jeralyn, Section Oklahoma City Bombing
Posted on Sun Nov 28, 2004 at 03:45:33 PM EST
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The Daily Oklahoman has obtained a copy of a statement Terry Nichols and his lawyers gave to prosecutors last year during plea negotioations that could have but didn't result in a deal to save his life, that outlines his role in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. He said he knows of no other co-conspirators, did not know Michael Fortier was involved, and did not know what building McVeigh intended to bomb until he heard it on the news. Nichols went to trial and was sentenced to life by the jury.

Here's the text of the statement:

Were you present during the purchase of: ammonium nitrate, nitromethane, barrels and where was each purchased?

Ammonium nitrate: Yes, for the majority of the purchases. It is my understanding that McVeigh bought some additional bags of ammonium nitrate (approximately 12 or more) on his own. I was not involved in those purchases. The ones I was involved in were purchased from the McPherson, Kansas Coop. I do not know where McVeigh purchased the additional 12 or so bags.

Nitromethane: I was at the racetrack in Ennis, Texas, when the nitromethane was purchased. Upon arriving, McVeigh only received one admission tag to enter the area and therefore I was unable to accompany him to the actual purchase of the nitromethane. At his direction, I waited for him to purchase the nitromethane.

Barrels: Yes, approximately six 55-gallon steel barrels with removable lids were purchased from a business I think was called SDS Recycling in El Dorado, Kansas. The business was located on the west side of town on the north side of the highway.

Six 55-gallon white plastic barrels with bung holes (a couple could have had blue rims) were purchased at a business I believed was called Hillsboro Dairy Plant located at Hillsboro, Kansas. It was located on the north edge of town, just south of the highway. The four plastic barrels (2 white and 2 white with blue rims) found in my garage came from a business that was called something like Environment Recycling in Marion, Kansas, near the southwest edge of town.

How and where was the bomb constructed and who was present, to include ingredients, percentage of fertilizer to nitromethane, boosters, initiator, and where did the recipe come from?

The bomb was constructed at Geary Lake. The only people present were Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. The barrels were put in a shape charge design in the Ryder truck. I think there were eleven barrels and they were in the shape of this diagram. Boards were nailed into the floor to hold the barrels in place. McVeigh poured the fertilizer into the barrels. I am unsure how much fertil