Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Police Search for Atlanta Courthouse Shooter; Violence Leads to Reevaluation of Courtroom Security

Aired March 11, 2005 - 17:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Happening now: terror in Atlanta. You're looking live at highway signs alerting the public to a killer on the loose. Police are hoping to hunt him down before his rampage resumes.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Courthouse killings.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The deputies were just running around and saying, "Get out of the courthouse. Get out of the courthouse."

BLITZER: A defendant grabs a gun. A judge, a deputy and a court reporter are dead.

Chaos in the city. The search for the shooter blocks off downtown and locks down dozens of schools.

Judges at risk.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a sad day when the very foundation of our country, the civil justice system, is threatened.

BLITZER: Security inside and outside America's courtrooms.

Terror on the tracks. As Madrid marks a grim anniversary, Muslim clerics declare Osama bin Laden an outcast.

Carrot and stick. Iran has offered a compromise on its nuclear program. Syria may be offered a warning: get out or else.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, March 11, 2005.

BLITZER: We begin with another deadly assault on the U.S. court system. A massive manhunt is underway for a rape trial defendant accused of killing a judge, a court reporter and a deputy sheriff in Georgia this morning.

Our national correspondent, Gary Tuchman, joining us now live from Atlanta with all the late-breaking developments -- Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, some sad and strange twists to the story. This is where it happened, this courthouse complex behind me in downtown Atlanta. This 33-year-old man, Brian Nichols, has killed three people, critically wounded another person.

We have been told just minutes ago that this man in the middle of his rape trial yesterday, on the way back from the trial to the jail, was found with two homemade knives, one in each shoe. It's not clear if he had those knives in the courthouse yesterday. But the fact was today, he ended up shooting three people, including a judge.

He is still being looked for as we speak, considered armed and dangerous. This all began eight hours ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN (voice-over): It was a scene of chaos in downtown Atlanta.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody off the sidewalk!

TUCHMAN: It started as the workday was just beginning at the Fulton County Courthouse. On the eighth floor, 33-year-old Brian Nichols was being retried on charges of rape, false imprisonment and other allegations after a previous mistrial.

DEPUTY CHIEF ALAN DREHER, ATLANTA POLICE: The suspect was on his way to the courtroom. It appears that he was -- he overwhelmed a deputy sheriff on his way to court. It appears that he took possession of her handgun. The deputy sheriff was injured as a result of that struggle.

The suspect made his way into the courtroom and held all the persons inside at bay with the handgun. He then shot and killed the judge, shot and killed the court stenographer and made good his escape from the courtroom.

TUCHMAN: Judge Rowland Barnes and his court reporter were dead. The wounded deputy was rushed to a nearby hospital.

DR. JEFFREY SALOMONE, GRADY HOSPITAL TRAUMA SURGEON: The bullet did not enter her skull. She has a small bruise on her brain and some fractures around her face. It appears that after being shot the deputy perhaps fell to the ground, receiving some of those fractures to her head. She is in critical condition but expected to survive the injuries that she has.

TUCHMAN: Authorities say Nichols ran out of the courthouse and into the street and then shot another deputy, this one fatally. A lawyer who had just been evacuated from the courthouse saw the aftermath.

RENEE ROCKWELL, WITNESSED SHOOTING: There was a deputy on the side of the street right there. The witness said that the guy who had the other deputy's gun just shot at him a couple times. He did not look good.

TUCHMAN: Police believe Nichols carjacked up to five vehicles while making his getaway.

DERONTA FRANKLIN, CARJACK VICTIM: The guy come up with a gun and pointed it at me and said, "Get out of the truck." I told him he can have the truck.

TUCHMAN: Another carjacking victim was a reporter for the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution" newspaper, who happened to be parking his car in a nearby garage.

DON O'BRIANT, CARJACKING VICTIM: I gave him the keys. He opens the trunk and said, "Get in the trunk." And I said no. And he said, "I'm going to shoot you if you don't get in the trunk." And so I started to move away and he hits me with the gun. And I fall down and then I started scrambling to my feet and get to Marietta Street to try to find help. And he's not following me, so I figured I'm in the clear.

TUCHMAN: Authorities Nichols fled downtown Atlanta in O'Briant's green Honda Accord.

SHERIFF MYRON FREEMAN, FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA: Mr. Nichols is considered armed and extremely dangerous and should not be approached.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN: One of the most chilling parts of the story is that if Brian Nichols just wanted to escape, he would have done so after he shot the deputy in the hallway in that new part of the building, but he instead made a trip along the public walkway, walked into another building, the old building next to it and found the courtroom where his trial was taking place and then fired those two additional gunshots.

We just talked a short time ago with Gayle Abramson. She's the senior assistant district attorney who was trying the rape case. And I asked her -- this was a tough question to ask her, but I said, "Do you think he was looking for you?"

And she said, "I don't know the answer to that, but I was just minutes away from going into the courtroom when it happened."

Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: All right. Gary Tuchman reporting for us from the scene of this crime. Gary, thank you very much.

The Fulton County Courthouse is located just a few blocks from the CNN Center in Atlanta. Now our Atlanta staffers have learned that at one point this morning, the suspect was just across the street.

As president of Turner Properties Alec Frazier is in charge of security for the CNN Center. Alec is joining us now live.

Alec, I understand that we have some surveillance video of a garage right near CNN. Tell our viewers what we're about to see and how we got this video. ALEC FRAZIER, PRESIDENT, TURNER PROPERTIES: Wolf, this video take place in Centennial Garage, which is at one end of the Centennial Olympic Park. In these videos that you're watching you see the empty space now followed by the Isuzu and the Honda. And then there's the Honda departing.

So it goes through rather rapidly because the video for security camera just takes pictures every three or four seconds. That is the Honda Accord departing Centennial Garage. In the back right-hand corner is the Isuzu Trooper which the suspect drove in. So you see the two cars together. There's some skirmish there, and then the Honda departs.

BLITZER: This is the garage where Don O'Briant of the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution" -- we just heard from him -- had been parking his car. Is that right?

FRAZIER: That's correct. They had parked near a handicapped spot, and the Isuzu Trooper was parked right behind the "AJC" reporter's car. And he thought that was strange, I think, that he be parking in a handicapped spot. But anyway, then the scuffle takes place there, and then he drives off in the Honda Accord.

BLITZER: Do we have a time for when this video, surveillance video, was taken?

FRAZIER: Exactly at 10:19 and 58 seconds.

BLITZER: Because the incident occurred in the courthouse around 9 a.m. So this is a good hour later. And how far is this parking garage from the courthouse?

FRAZIER: Well, we're about 10 blocks away from the courthouse. The Isuzu Trooper, there's sort of a winding tale here. Because he ran across the street to a garage across from the courthouse. And then he hijacked a tow truck and from there he moved to the Isuzu Trooper, from the Isuzu Trooper to the Centennial Garage and there into the Honda. So that took a long time, I guess.

BLITZER: Yes, I guess it did, a good hour at least.

Alec, thanks very much for sharing that with us and our viewers. Appreciate it. Pretty scary.

Joining us now on the phone is Barry Hazen. He's the attorney for the suspect in this case, Brian Nichols.

Barry, how long have you been involved, associated with Brian Nichols?

BARRY HAZEN, ATTORNEY FOR BRIAN NICHOLS: I began to represent Mr. Nichols in December of 2004.

BLITZER: In December of 2004. So that's not all that long ago. And were you in the courtroom today with him? HAZEN: Fortunately not. I was on my way to the courthouse, and it was about maybe 100 yards from the courthouse when I heard the sirens and saw the deputies running up the street with their guns out.

BLITZER: Tell us what he's like. You obviously spent some time talking to Barry Nichols, the suspect, who's still on the loose right now. What kind of man did he appear to be to you?

HAZEN: Well, he's a very intelligent articulate man. Fairly well educated. He's very analytical, very logical. He's also very big and athletic. He's an avid basketball player.

Just seems to be, if you talk with him and spend time with him, you get the impression that he's very laid back, very easy going. And by all accounts, people who know him and have known him for a long time, say basically the same thing, that he's just a laid back, easy going person. Doesn't get excited very easily.

BLITZER: But he does have a long criminal record, is that right?

HAZEN: No. The only criminal record he has, really, was a conviction when he was in college for, sexually, what's disorderly conduct. And that would be a misdemeanor if it were here in Georgia.

BLITZER: What were the circumstances surrounding the rape allegation which he was facing?

HAZEN: He was involved with a woman for a number of years, a long-term relationship, about eight years. And that relationship began to deteriorate, and then he began to see another woman. That woman became pregnant and that, of course, caused tremendous stress within the relationship with his original girlfriend. And that relationship was kind of falling apart anyway. So this was just the icing on the cake.

He wanted to remain with her. She did not want to be with him, she says, and that gave rise to her claim that he attacked her back in last August. He claimed they were reconciling and they had consensual sex.

BLITZER: And so that was the whole -- and there had been a mistrial. That's why he was being retried this time. Is that what happened?

HAZEN: That's correct. Two weeks ago we tried the case. And it went about six days. And the jury split 8-4 for acquittal, and they locked in. After about a day and a half of deliberations, none of the jurors was changing their vote. And so Judge Barnes declared a mistrial.

But the state and Judge Barnes wanted to try the case immediately. And so we began to try the case again this past Monday. And it likely would have ended either today or one more day. I had estimated the jury probably would have gotten the case late this afternoon, perhaps about 3 p.m. this afternoon. BLITZER: So basically what you're saying when you heard about this, that this suspect grabbed a gun from a female deputy sheriff inside the courtroom and then killed the judge, killed the court stenographer, went on a rampage, how much of a surprise was this to you, given the knowledge, the personal relationship you have had with this suspect?

HAZEN: So it wasn't really a surprise, because there had been an incident a couple of days ago where a deputy reported to the judge that Mr. Nichols had two metal objects, one in each shoe, when he went from the courthouse back to the Fulton County jail. The objects looked to be like heavy hinges. And one of them had a piece of material, cloth strung through a hole in the object.

And the judge brought it to my attention and the attention of the assistant district attorneys, who were also trying the case yesterday morning. And everyone expressed concern about security. And Judge Barnes indicated to us that he was going to have security in the courtroom beefed up for the remainder of the trial. We were most concerned what reaction we would get if a jury were to convict him.

BLITZER: Because you thought he was unstable, is that what you're suggesting?

HAZEN: Well, not necessarily unstable. I didn't think he was unstable but if somebody does come to a courtroom, and they've got what certainly can be used as a weapon secreted in their shoes, that's certainly going to raise your concerns about security and, you know, what his response might be if he were to be convicted. Also, it's a contraband. It's not something he's supposed to have. The concern was, how is he getting this stuff?

BLITZER: He's clearly a big, strong man: 6'1", 210 pounds. When was the last time you spoke with him?

HAZEN: I spoke to him yesterday about 5 p.m. in the afternoon as the court was over, and I was packing up my belongings and leaving. That was the last time I saw him. That would have been in the courtroom, because he wouldn't leave the courtroom until all the jurors left because, of course, he was still in custody, and we didn't want the jurors to see him in handcuffs. That would have been the typical protocol.

BLITZER: Were you ever scared of this client of yours?

HAZEN: No. He never indicated to me that he was violent or that he would likely be violent toward me.

BLITZER: So what happens next? What do you think -- what do you think this man is capable of doing now, now that he's on the loose?

HAZEN: Well, if the allegations are true, then he's capable of doing just about anything.

BLITZER: So, as the police say, he's armed and very, very dangerous. Barry Hazen, the attorney for the suspect in this case, Brian Nichols. Thanks very much for joining us.

HAZEN: Thank you.

BLITZER: Chilling information indeed. The killings are putting court security nationwide under scrutiny, and some say changes must be made and made quickly.

CNN's Mary Snow is on that part of the story. She's joining us live from New York -- Mary.

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11, security was beefed up at courthouses across the country. But today's murders, some say, are a wakeup call that more needs to be done.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW (voice-over): For those familiar with the Fulton County Courthouse, there are mixed views of security.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Security over there, the amount of deputies they had, the way they did security, the way they lend themselves to being attacked like they did today, I mean, it was bound to happen. I've told many judges. And just, like, it just went deaf ear.

SNOW: Others say no one could have predicted what happened.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know what differently you could do with security, because at times, there are 250 to 400 inmates brought to the courthouse every day.

SNOW: The Atlanta shooting follows a fatal attack on a judge's family in Chicago last month, that coming just days after a gunman outside a Tyler, Texas, courthouse shot and killed two people. Different circumstances, different jurisdictions, but one main theme.

TIM FAUTSKO, NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS: It does, in fact, become a wakeup call.

SNOW: Tim Fautsko of the National Center for State Courts says because states keep individual data, it is difficult to gauge the number of violent cases on the local level.

FAUTSKO: I think the courts will re-examine their policies and their protocols: do you bring guns into the courtroom or do you not?

SNOW: In county courts like this one in Arlington County, Virginia, the sheriff points out when it comes to training, there are no national standards. So this courthouse looks to federal marshals for guidance.

SHERIFF BETH ARTHUR, ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA: So you have to look at best practices and then come up with standards that you feel are going to be the best for your community, and also there's a money issue. SNOW: And lack of money is one of the topics expected to be discussed when federal judges meet next week to talk about a number of issues, including security.

JANE ROTH, JUDGE: We are very concerned about...

SNOW: Judge Jane Roth plans to outline some measures to try and protect judges.

ROTH: I think having home alarm systems for judges is very important. Right now, the marshal service will do an evaluation of every judge's home at his or her request. And I have requested such an evaluation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW: And Judge Roth will be attending the judicial conference next week. She also plans to meet with the attorney general. And the U.S. marshal service estimates there are about 700 threats made each year to federal judges -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Mary Snow reporting for us. Thank you, Mary, very much.

Emotional reaction from those who knew the victims.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY GRACE, FORMER PROSECUTOR: I am heartbroken. I'd been playing softball with Judge Barnes since 1987 when I was a rookie prosecutor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: We'll hear from CNN's Nancy Grace, who knows two of the victims, professionally and personally.

Also, a city in chaos. The impact of the shooting and the manhunt on Atlanta.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: You're looking at live pictures: Interstate 85 in and around Atlanta. Police suspect a green Honda Accord. You can see that. Call 911 if you have any information involving the suspect in the killing of a Fulton County superior judge, a court stenographer and a deputy sheriff. Call 911 if you know anything about this case. They're anxious to get your information.

We're trying to get more information on what's going on in this developing story. We're joined now by Fulton County commission chairwoman, Karen Handel. She's at the CNN Center in Atlanta.

Is there new information coming out right now, Karen, based on what you know, the possible location of this suspect? KAREN HANDEL, CHAIR, FULTON COUNTY COMMISSION: At this point, no. The manhunt continues. And it's being spearheaded with a multijurisdictional effort.

BLITZER: When you say multijurisdictional, is it local, state? Are federal authorities involved as well?

HANDEL: At this point I Don't believe any federal authorities are available -- are involved, but local, state and from the county to the city, to state, with the GBI. And it's been very intensive, a very difficult, emotional day for everyone.

BLITZER: I can only imagine. The investigation, the search, the geography of the search must really expand with each hour that goes by, given the fact that, potentially, this suspect could have gotten another car and been moving around the state, for all we know, or perhaps beyond the state. Is that a fair assessment?

HANDEL: I mean, I Don't want to speculate about that. As I said, the investigation and the manhunt continues. And we have among the best and brightest law enforcement here in Fulton County and the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia. And I'm confident that they are going to apprehend this individual as quickly as possible.

BLITZER: Are we still assuming it's the green Honda that people should be looking out for, the green Honda?

HANDEL: That's the latest information I've received, yes.

BLITZER: And as -- and as far as the license plate, we're putting it up on the screen right now, and I'll read it for those of our viewers who may be -- may be listening on satellite radio. Georgia plate 6584 and the initials YN. That's the license plate on the green Honda that belonged to Don O'Briant of the "Atlanta Journal- Constitution" newspaper. We still assume that this suspect might be in that car.

HANDEL: That's correct.

BLITZER: Where does the investigation go? How widespread? What else can you be doing that they're not doing right now?

HANDEL: Well, at this point, the public safety officials, they're going to be leading the investigation and the manhunt.

And for all of us at Fulton County, I mean, we want to be focused on the families. This has been just a horrific tragedy for the judge's families and the clerk's families, as well as our sheriff's deputies. And we need to grieve and, you know, then move forward to doing a thorough investigation, as well, of all of the security issues.

BLITZER: The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous. If anyone watching this program or listening to this program, Karen, has information, what should they do?

HANDEL: They need to call 911 immediately, and they need to be very, very cautious and careful and not approach this suspect.

BLITZER: Karen Handel -- Handel, good luck to you and everyone involved in this search for this suspect. Thank you very much.

HANDEL: Thank you. Thank you.

BLITZER: CNN's Nancy Grace is a friend and a colleague of two of the victims. We'll hear from her later this hour.

Also...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm surprised it hasn't happened before. This is a guy that's going down, if he gets convicted, for life plus.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Should security have been tighter? We'll hear from a criminal defense attorney who says major changes need to be made. And this is the city, Atlanta, in the midst of a manhunt. CNN's Zain Verjee on the impact of the shooting and the manhunt on Atlanta and the surrounding area.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: I-75, interstate 75 in and around Atlanta. The search is on for a suspect, Brian Nichols, 33 years old, 6'1", 210 pounds. He's on the loose.

He's the suspect in the murder earlier today of a Fulton County superior judge, a court stenographer and a deputy sheriff and the wounding of another deputy sheriff. A massive manhunt under way right now.

Our coverage of the Atlanta shooting continues with more on one of the victims: Judge Rowland Barnes. He was appointed to the Fulton County Superior Court in 1998. By then, Governor Zell Miller fulfilling what friends say was a life-long ambition.

He presided over several high profile cases, including the vehicular homicide trial of pro hockey player, Danny Heatley. Colleagues described Judge Barnes as kind, warmhearted and fair, with one quoted as saying, "He was one of the most gentle people I have ever known."

For more now on Judge Barnes, we're joined by Manny Arora at the CNN Center in Atlanta. He was one of the attorneys representing Danny Heatley.

What about this judge, Manny? Tell us your impressions of the man.

MANNY ARORA, ATTORNEY: Wolf, he was one of the greatest people I've ever had the privilege to work with. I started in the D.A.'s office back in 1988 at the same time he was elected to the bench. Before I go on about the judge, I really want to pay my tribute to the court reporter that I've known for awhile as well as the deputy that was killed. It's terrible for their families also, I'm sure.

The judge was one of my mentors. He's the one that, after seven years of being a government lawyer, encouraged me to go into private practice, explore options, would give me guidance, would take you back in his chambers, talk to you like a human being and not just, you know, another lawyer.

I just can't say enough about him. I mean, I owe my entire career to this man.

BLITZER: You must be terribly heart broken like so many others. I've spoken to a lot of people who were very close to the judge during the course of this day, and everyone says exactly the same thing. So hard-working, struggled his whole career, finally got to the superior court and what a shocking, shocking tragedy. Tell us a little bit more about Judge Barnes.

ARORA: Judge Barnes is one of those guys that, you know, made decisions that he felt was right. He'd think about it. He was very intelligent and he would also listen to his heart before just making decisions.

He didn't care if it was a negative consequence or people didn't like what he was doing. He would do what was right. He was rarely ever reversed on appeal.

And he was just one of those people that had the courage to do the right thing, whether it was in the Heatley case or any other case that you probably talked about in the past.

He just cared genuinely about people. Just because you were a defendant he didn't treat you like some lesser human being. Because you were a defense lawyer, he didn't treat you as a lesser person. He respected everyone. And he had a great sense of humor. He'd joke about it. I can't say enough about him. I mean, it's such a terrible loss that, you know, we've had here today.

BLITZER: What about security in the courthouse? You obviously have spent a lot of time inside that courthouse, inside that courtroom. Was there a problem?

ARORA: I can't say, you know, what the problems are, Wolf. Those deputies are well trained. They've always been wonderful people. They've always been professionals every time I've had cases, whether we've prosecuted or defended.

I just figure it's one of those things, where sometimes, somebody's going to get the better of you. And unfortunately, this individual, at 6'1" and 200-some-odd pounds got the better of the deputy.

And I mean, I don't know if more security would do something. It's easy to Monday morning quarterback. But those deputies work darn hard, and I don't think they should be criticized right now.

BLITZER: You've brought criminal defendants into that courthouse. Did you feel -- did you ever feel threatened?

ARORA: I can't say at this point in my life I've ever felt threatened by anybody. I've usually had good relationships with my clients, but that doesn't mean in the future something may not happen.

And if I felt threatened, it's one of the situations where I'd inform the court and probably get myself off the case and let somebody else with a fresh perspective go in, because if I ever felt threatened, I don't think I could honestly defend that person to the best of my ability.

BLITZER: As you look back on the career of Judge Barnes and his family, the emotional moment, the tragedy of what has occurred, no one could have predicted this, clearly, unfolding, but how much of a chilling effect will it have on the judicial system where you are in Georgia?

ARORA: I think it is going to have a chill chilling effect here in Georgia, in our county, as well as the rest of the country, with the rash of shootings we've had here in the listen few weeks.

And it's unfortunate, because a lot of other defendants that aren't violent are going to be suffering from this. I'm sure they're going to be wearing more handcuffs and things throughout the courtroom, where as before they were given the respect of not having to have the courtrooms -- it may be a smart thing for a while until things cool off.

But it's going to hurt a lot people that aren't obviously violent felons or drug folks, because security is going to get really tight. Bail issues are going to probably get worse at this point for a while. And, you know, it's unfortunate, but it may be the right thing to do at this point until we figure out a good solution.

BLITZER: Manny Arora, thanks very much for spending a few moments with us reflecting about this judge and outstanding man, clearly, by everyone's account. Manny, thank you very much.

ARORA: Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Nancy Grace also knew the victims, Judge Rowland Barnes and court reporter Julie Brandau, both professionally and personally.

I spoke with Nancy earlier today in a very emotional interview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NANCY GRACE, FORMER PROSECUTOR: I am en route to Atlanta right now. I am heartbroken.

I've been playing softball with Judge Barnes since 1987, when I was a rookie prosecutor. And his court reporter, Julie, had just been up visiting me, staying with me in New York this past couple of months. And I'm just -- I'm stunned.

Wolf, there were a million times we as prosecutors and judges walk into the courtroom going about our everyday business as public servants. And I am stunned. I am stunned about Judge Barnes' death and Julie's death, and the two deputy sheriffs trying to do their job.

Everybody keeps talking about how, maybe there was an accomplice. Listen, Wolf, anybody that's been in and out of that courthouse can figure out the lay of the courthouse. It is what it is. The man grabbed the gun and unloaded rather than go to jail on a rape charge. That's what happened.

BLITZER: Talk a little bit about Judge Barnes, Nancy. Give us some personal thoughts that are going through your mind right now.

GRACE: Wolf, I can't tell you how many times that I sat in the stands and cheered a softball game with Judge Barnes. He was a state court judge for many, many years, coming up in the ranks like all of us, as a trial lawyer.

And Wolf, when he made superior court judge, usually, you know, there are political hacks or appointees. This is a guy that everybody said, thank God somebody like Barnes finally made the bench. This makes it all worthwhile.

All I can say is Barnes was the kind of person that I was proud to practice in front of.

BLITZER: You have to ask yourself, how can these things happen? How can such a tragedy occur to such a good man who worked so hard to do -- to do right in the courtroom? It's just such a painful experience, but it does raise the question of security for judges, security for court personnel, not only in Atlanta, Nancy, but all around the country.

What needs to be done?

GRACE: Wolf, so many times I've sat in the courtroom and I've, you know, looked -- sitting there unarmed, of course. I was never armed in court.

The deputies would have their guns, and we would have 20, 30, sometimes 50 violent offenders. They were not all shackled, and they were there in the courtroom.

It is a risk that's being taken every day -- in every courtroom in this country. And Wolf, I just -- I just hate that it had to be Judge Barnes and his beautiful court reporter, Julie, that had to pay this horrible, horrible price.

And Wolf, the judge has a girl. He has a beautiful girl. And I'm just -- to have your father killed in this way as a public servant -- I mean, Wolf, this guy has tried so many cases.

He was one of the most decent lawyers I have ever known. And I'm stunned. I can hardly speak. (END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Nancy Grace speaking with me earlier today here on CNN. Nancy is now in Atlanta. She's preparing special coverage of this courthouse shooting. You can see her program tonight on CNN Headline News, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Pacific, Nancy Grace tonight on "Headline News Prime," 8:00 p.m. eastern.

Southeast manhunt and the impact of today's tragedy on the city of Atlanta, our Zain Verjee standing by at the scene of the killings. She has reaction from across the country and the city. Plus, a prosecutor who works in the Atlanta courthouse says he's not surprised by today's slayings. He'll tell us why. That's coming up, live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. The search is on for the killer of a judge, a court reporter and a deputy sheriff, all shot dead in downtown Atlanta. Our Zain Verjee is at the scene. She'll join us live in a moment.

First, though, a quick check of some other stories now in the news.

When it comes to Iran's nuclear program, President Bush has tried tough talk. Now he'll let others do some sweet-talking. The Bush administration says it will back European diplomatic efforts aimed at coaxing Iran to give up any nuclear weapons ambitions. Along with that come economic incentives. The U.S. will not oppose Iran's eventual membership in the World Trade Organization and will allow some sales of civilian aircraft parts.

Is the United Nations about to get tough with Syria? While the last Syrian forces have reportedly left northern Lebanon, the U.N.'s Middle East envoy, Terje Larsen, said today, Syria must provide timetables for a full withdrawal, as demanded by the U.N. Security Council. Larsen is to meet with Syria's president tomorrow, Bashar Al Assad, tomorrow. "The Washington Post" cites both U.N. and U.S. officials as saying Larsen will warn that Syria faces political and economic isolation if it doesn't comply, but Larsen says he's looking for a constructive dialogue.

Chicago Police say there's DNA -- a DNA match in the case of the Chicago federal judge whose husband and mother were murdered. They say DNA from Bart Ross, whose suicide note claimed responsibility for the killings, matches DNA from a cigarette butt found at the scene. But investigators add, the case is not yet closed.

Now back to our top story, today's courtroom shootings in Atlanta. The hunt continues for a rape defendant accused of killing a judge, a court reporter and a deputy sheriff. The slayings sent shockwaves through Atlanta, just as the city was getting ready to host a major weekend basketball tournament.

Let's go live to the scene, our Zain Verjee joining us live -- Zain. ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, behind me is the courthouse where the shootings happened.

Now, I just want to give you a feel for the area. About a block away from the courthouse is the state Capitol. The Coca-Cola Museum's also here. And, Wolf, just across from that is the parking deck where the suspect hijacked a car. So, this is essentially an area where a lot of tourists frequent.

But, on this day, Atlanta residents were affected.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Atlanta Motors is handling that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right.

VERJEE (voice-over): Atlanta on alert, as a manhunt for a murderer intensifies. Law enforcement and news helicopters fly in the sky, while, on the ground, highway signs beam descriptions of the getaway car the killer's believed to be in.

In heavy Friday Atlanta traffic, residents have been asked to be on the lookout for the car. The courthouse has been locked down and roads around it have been blocked off. Some schools in metro Atlanta also locked down for hours, a spokesman for Atlanta public schools stressed there was no imminent danger, but caution is key.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What we really don't want is people roaming around the vicinity of the schools, either coming in or going out, while Atlanta Police Department is conducting its manhunt.

VERJEE: Barely blocks away from this, basketball fans in Atlanta. Thousands of them are here for the Southeastern Conference college basketball tournament and the danger is on some minds, like Larry from Arkansas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very scary, scary. It's scare -- it's the way -- the world we live in today.

VERJEE: Others are focused on the party and the game, like Bruce from Kentucky.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody's in such a festive mood. I guess a lot of people aren't thinking about it. We're looking for a win today with Florida.

VERJEE: Walter from Mississippi has a different perspective.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is funny, because you see like, the Westin, where we stay, everybody's happy and ready to go to the game. And then there's now three people -- I presume three people -- now been killed. And just -- it's sad.

(END VIDEOTAPE) VERJEE: Georgia Governor, Wolf, Sonny Perdue has ordered that all flags be put at half-staff on all state offices as soon and -- until the funerals of the victims have been held -- Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Zain Verjee on the scene for us -- Zain, thank you very much.

When we come back, should security inside the courthouse, should security have been tighter? We'll hear from a criminal defense attorney who says major changes need to be made.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

Is there lax security at the Fulton County Courthouse? And is that partially to blame for the tragedy that occurred today?

Darryl Cohen is joining us from Atlanta. He's a criminal defense attorney, practices there, and has suggested that some changes need to be made.

Darryl, talk about the changes you recommend, given your experience inside that courthouse.

DARRYL COHEN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, Wolf, this is not the first time that has happened.

About 20 years ago, the same thing happened on the eighth floor of the old courthouse. Someone was subdued. He was subdued in the men's room. A shot was fired. Fortunately, at that time, no one was injured. What I believe is, A, the prisoners need to be shackled. B, there's no excuse for a law enforcement person to have a weapon such -- any type of gun as they're escorting a prisoner or prisoners to the courtroom.

I don't believe there's a place for guns in the courtroom, but if I'm wrong, at least the deputies that are in the courtroom that are not escorting the prisoners, that are not near the prisoners are the ones that should be handling that weapon, not someone who is escorting a prisoner. And, in this instance, the guy had a shank. The defendant had a shank on Wednesday morning. What type of a wakeup call does it take? We need to take this and make this a teachable moment. The tragedy, we can't get rid of.

BLITZER: Well, doesn't it make sense, though, that if somebody can smuggle, let's say, a knife in that the law enforcement authorities, who are there to protect the judge, the personnel, the witnesses, the lawyers, someone needs a gun in there if it comes down to having to protect people's lives?

COHEN: Well, Wolf, in my opinion, you don't.

But, again, if I'm wrong, if the deputies have guns, that's fine. But it should not be the deputies that are also escorting the prisoners to the courtroom or escorting the prisoners that are sitting in the jury box waiting to enter pleas of guilty or not guilty. You don't put a weapon next to a person or persons that you know are violent.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: What happens if that -- what happens if that suspect, shall we say, that criminal attacks the person, the law enforcement officer who's bringing that criminal inside the courtroom?

COHEN: Absent a gun, no one's going to be killed. If that law enforcement officer, as an example, has a taser, then, at the very worse, that officer, if overpowered, is going to be hurt with a taser. The other officers will be able to come to his or her rescue and this person will be brought under control.

In this instance, when you put a gun in the hands of a known criminal or a known criminal puts a gun in his or her own hands, nothing but tragedy can occur.

BLITZER: We have to leave it, unfortunately right there. Darryl Cohen, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us on this very, very sad day.

COHEN: Thank you.

BLITZER: We'll think another quick break.

When we come back, a nation remembers a tragedy one year later, as Muslims in Spain officially denounce Osama bin Laden by declaring a fatwa against the al Qaeda leader. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: One year ago, bombs ripped through four commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people and wounding more than 1,500 others. Today, Spain stopped to remember and the country's Muslim clerics declared al Qaeda's leader an outcast.

CNN's Matthew Chance is live in Madrid -- Matthew.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, thanks very much.

And you join me outside the train station in central Madrid, which has become a site of a sort of special pilgrimage for many people in this Spanish capital wanting to remember the dead and the injured. It's right in the center of the town. It's where many of the dead and injured came through.

I just want to quickly step out of the way of the camera for a moment to show you the kinds of tributes that people are paying here, lighting candles, laying wreaths, leaving photographs, things like that, anything so they can remember and pay tribute to the dead one year on, a day, of course, Wolf, when Spain remembered its past year.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHANCE (voice-over): Seven thirty-seven a.m., a year to the minute since the first of 10 bombs exploded. Bells tolled in 600 churches across Madrid, a solemn memorial for a nation still in grief.

For the city's thousands of commuters, the morning started much like any other. On the surface, the daily rush of life has returned to normal. But at the interactive memorials in the Atocha train station, people paused to remember, some leaving handprints and messages as a tribute. We met Gloria Imetai (ph), who told me their city had moved on, but not forgotten.

"We have to keep going," Gloria told me, "but we will keep all of them in our hearts."

Then, at midday, the Spanish capital came to a halt, a five- minute silence for 191 souls. The official memorial was brief and low-key. King Mohammed of more Morocco paid tribute. Most of the suspected bombers affiliated with al Qaeda came from his country. This was a show of unity. And Spain's biggest Muslim group offered its sympathies, too, issuing an unprecedented fatwa, condemning Osama bin Laden and his followers. It could have come sooner, but this was a symbolic gesture aimed at those who take Spain's close bonds with the Islamic world as a threat.

MANSUR ESCUDERO, ISLAMIC COMMISSION OF SPAIN: I hope that they understand that the Spanish society and the Muslims all over, we are supporting this alliance and we are all going to fight for it any way.

CHANCE: Welcome words for many in a country which prides itself on its tolerance, a strength sorely tested a year ago and reaffirmed today.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHANCE: Wolf, thank you.

So far, 74 people have been charged in this investigation. Authorities, though, are being very careful to warn the people of Spain the threat of terrorism is still there -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Matthew chance in Madrid -- thank you, Matthew.

Finally, four decades later, a secret U.S. nuclear test blast is still making quite an impact half a world away.

CNN's Tom Foreman explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two, one, fire.

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): News that the U.S. government apparently conducted a secret nuclear test in Sudan in 1962 created a shockwave all its own. On Al-Jazeera, one Sudanese official demanded an American explanation, saying the Sudanese government takes this issue seriously, while another suggested American nuclear tests might be responsible for cancer in his country.

At the Federation of American Scientists, Steven Aftergood was stunned by the news, too.

STEVEN AFTERGOOD, FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS: I thought, wow, here's a historical revelation that will cause the history books to be rewritten. No one's ever heard of a U.S. nuclear test in the Sudan in 1962.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The familiar mushroom cloud snakes skyward.

FOREMAN: Aftergood looked at the government transcript from which the story came and it did say, in a recent congressional hearing, California Representative Ellen Tauscher said the Sudan test displaced 12 million tons of earth and dug a crater 320 feet deep. That description matches a nuclear test in 1962 all right, but not in Sudan. The test described took place in Nevada, under the code name Sedan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sedan was detonated at 10:00 a.m., July 6, 1962.

FOREMAN: The congresswoman's office has since confirmed the Nevada test, Project Sedan, is what she was talking about. Her words were indeed miscopied into the written record.

(on camera): So, the story is over, right? Wrong. Since the initial mistake, news of this American nuclear test, which never happened, has been picked up not only in the Arab world, but also by a Chinese news service.

AFTERGOOD: It's an amazing demonstration of the way information flows in our world today and how it has enormous potential to mislead, as well as to inform.

FOREMAN (voice-over): And even though Sudanese officials say they now accept the U.S. explanation, they'll keep investigating the American nuclear test that never was.

Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And that's it for me.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired March 11, 2005 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Happening now: terror in Atlanta. You're looking live at highway signs alerting the public to a killer on the loose. Police are hoping to hunt him down before his rampage resumes.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Courthouse killings.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The deputies were just running around and saying, "Get out of the courthouse. Get out of the courthouse."

BLITZER: A defendant grabs a gun. A judge, a deputy and a court reporter are dead.

Chaos in the city. The search for the shooter blocks off downtown and locks down dozens of schools.

Judges at risk.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a sad day when the very foundation of our country, the civil justice system, is threatened.

BLITZER: Security inside and outside America's courtrooms.

Terror on the tracks. As Madrid marks a grim anniversary, Muslim clerics declare Osama bin Laden an outcast.

Carrot and stick. Iran has offered a compromise on its nuclear program. Syria may be offered a warning: get out or else.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, March 11, 2005.

BLITZER: We begin with another deadly assault on the U.S. court system. A massive manhunt is underway for a rape trial defendant accused of killing a judge, a court reporter and a deputy sheriff in Georgia this morning.

Our national correspondent, Gary Tuchman, joining us now live from Atlanta with all the late-breaking developments -- Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, some sad and strange twists to the story. This is where it happened, this courthouse complex behind me in downtown Atlanta. This 33-year-old man, Brian Nichols, has killed three people, critically wounded another person.

We have been told just minutes ago that this man in the middle of his rape trial yesterday, on the way back from the trial to the jail, was found with two homemade knives, one in each shoe. It's not clear if he had those knives in the courthouse yesterday. But the fact was today, he ended up shooting three people, including a judge.

He is still being looked for as we speak, considered armed and dangerous. This all began eight hours ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN (voice-over): It was a scene of chaos in downtown Atlanta.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody off the sidewalk!

TUCHMAN: It started as the workday was just beginning at the Fulton County Courthouse. On the eighth floor, 33-year-old Brian Nichols was being retried on charges of rape, false imprisonment and other allegations after a previous mistrial.

DEPUTY CHIEF ALAN DREHER, ATLANTA POLICE: The suspect was on his way to the courtroom. It appears that he was -- he overwhelmed a deputy sheriff on his way to court. It appears that he took possession of her handgun. The deputy sheriff was injured as a result of that struggle.

The suspect made his way into the courtroom and held all the persons inside at bay with the handgun. He then shot and killed the judge, shot and killed the court stenographer and made good his escape from the courtroom.

TUCHMAN: Judge Rowland Barnes and his court reporter were dead. The wounded deputy was rushed to a nearby hospital.

DR. JEFFREY SALOMONE, GRADY HOSPITAL TRAUMA SURGEON: The bullet did not enter her skull. She has a small bruise on her brain and some fractures around her face. It appears that after being shot the deputy perhaps fell to the ground, receiving some of those fractures to her head. She is in critical condition but expected to survive the injuries that she has.

TUCHMAN: Authorities say Nichols ran out of the courthouse and into the street and then shot another deputy, this one fatally. A lawyer who had just been evacuated from the courthouse saw the aftermath.

RENEE ROCKWELL, WITNESSED SHOOTING: There was a deputy on the side of the street right there. The witness said that the guy who had the other deputy's gun just shot at him a couple times. He did not look good.

TUCHMAN: Police believe Nichols carjacked up to five vehicles while making his getaway.

DERONTA FRANKLIN, CARJACK VICTIM: The guy come up with a gun and pointed it at me and said, "Get out of the truck." I told him he can have the truck.

TUCHMAN: Another carjacking victim was a reporter for the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution" newspaper, who happened to be parking his car in a nearby garage.

DON O'BRIANT, CARJACKING VICTIM: I gave him the keys. He opens the trunk and said, "Get in the trunk." And I said no. And he said, "I'm going to shoot you if you don't get in the trunk." And so I started to move away and he hits me with the gun. And I fall down and then I started scrambling to my feet and get to Marietta Street to try to find help. And he's not following me, so I figured I'm in the clear.

TUCHMAN: Authorities Nichols fled downtown Atlanta in O'Briant's green Honda Accord.

SHERIFF MYRON FREEMAN, FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA: Mr. Nichols is considered armed and extremely dangerous and should not be approached.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN: One of the most chilling parts of the story is that if Brian Nichols just wanted to escape, he would have done so after he shot the deputy in the hallway in that new part of the building, but he instead made a trip along the public walkway, walked into another building, the old building next to it and found the courtroom where his trial was taking place and then fired those two additional gunshots.

We just talked a short time ago with Gayle Abramson. She's the senior assistant district attorney who was trying the rape case. And I asked her -- this was a tough question to ask her, but I said, "Do you think he was looking for you?"

And she said, "I don't know the answer to that, but I was just minutes away from going into the courtroom when it happened."

Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: All right. Gary Tuchman reporting for us from the scene of this crime. Gary, thank you very much.

The Fulton County Courthouse is located just a few blocks from the CNN Center in Atlanta. Now our Atlanta staffers have learned that at one point this morning, the suspect was just across the street.

As president of Turner Properties Alec Frazier is in charge of security for the CNN Center. Alec is joining us now live.

Alec, I understand that we have some surveillance video of a garage right near CNN. Tell our viewers what we're about to see and how we got this video. ALEC FRAZIER, PRESIDENT, TURNER PROPERTIES: Wolf, this video take place in Centennial Garage, which is at one end of the Centennial Olympic Park. In these videos that you're watching you see the empty space now followed by the Isuzu and the Honda. And then there's the Honda departing.

So it goes through rather rapidly because the video for security camera just takes pictures every three or four seconds. That is the Honda Accord departing Centennial Garage. In the back right-hand corner is the Isuzu Trooper which the suspect drove in. So you see the two cars together. There's some skirmish there, and then the Honda departs.

BLITZER: This is the garage where Don O'Briant of the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution" -- we just heard from him -- had been parking his car. Is that right?

FRAZIER: That's correct. They had parked near a handicapped spot, and the Isuzu Trooper was parked right behind the "AJC" reporter's car. And he thought that was strange, I think, that he be parking in a handicapped spot. But anyway, then the scuffle takes place there, and then he drives off in the Honda Accord.

BLITZER: Do we have a time for when this video, surveillance video, was taken?

FRAZIER: Exactly at 10:19 and 58 seconds.

BLITZER: Because the incident occurred in the courthouse around 9 a.m. So this is a good hour later. And how far is this parking garage from the courthouse?

FRAZIER: Well, we're about 10 blocks away from the courthouse. The Isuzu Trooper, there's sort of a winding tale here. Because he ran across the street to a garage across from the courthouse. And then he hijacked a tow truck and from there he moved to the Isuzu Trooper, from the Isuzu Trooper to the Centennial Garage and there into the Honda. So that took a long time, I guess.

BLITZER: Yes, I guess it did, a good hour at least.

Alec, thanks very much for sharing that with us and our viewers. Appreciate it. Pretty scary.

Joining us now on the phone is Barry Hazen. He's the attorney for the suspect in this case, Brian Nichols.

Barry, how long have you been involved, associated with Brian Nichols?

BARRY HAZEN, ATTORNEY FOR BRIAN NICHOLS: I began to represent Mr. Nichols in December of 2004.

BLITZER: In December of 2004. So that's not all that long ago. And were you in the courtroom today with him? HAZEN: Fortunately not. I was on my way to the courthouse, and it was about maybe 100 yards from the courthouse when I heard the sirens and saw the deputies running up the street with their guns out.

BLITZER: Tell us what he's like. You obviously spent some time talking to Barry Nichols, the suspect, who's still on the loose right now. What kind of man did he appear to be to you?

HAZEN: Well, he's a very intelligent articulate man. Fairly well educated. He's very analytical, very logical. He's also very big and athletic. He's an avid basketball player.

Just seems to be, if you talk with him and spend time with him, you get the impression that he's very laid back, very easy going. And by all accounts, people who know him and have known him for a long time, say basically the same thing, that he's just a laid back, easy going person. Doesn't get excited very easily.

BLITZER: But he does have a long criminal record, is that right?

HAZEN: No. The only criminal record he has, really, was a conviction when he was in college for, sexually, what's disorderly conduct. And that would be a misdemeanor if it were here in Georgia.

BLITZER: What were the circumstances surrounding the rape allegation which he was facing?

HAZEN: He was involved with a woman for a number of years, a long-term relationship, about eight years. And that relationship began to deteriorate, and then he began to see another woman. That woman became pregnant and that, of course, caused tremendous stress within the relationship with his original girlfriend. And that relationship was kind of falling apart anyway. So this was just the icing on the cake.

He wanted to remain with her. She did not want to be with him, she says, and that gave rise to her claim that he attacked her back in last August. He claimed they were reconciling and they had consensual sex.

BLITZER: And so that was the whole -- and there had been a mistrial. That's why he was being retried this time. Is that what happened?

HAZEN: That's correct. Two weeks ago we tried the case. And it went about six days. And the jury split 8-4 for acquittal, and they locked in. After about a day and a half of deliberations, none of the jurors was changing their vote. And so Judge Barnes declared a mistrial.

But the state and Judge Barnes wanted to try the case immediately. And so we began to try the case again this past Monday. And it likely would have ended either today or one more day. I had estimated the jury probably would have gotten the case late this afternoon, perhaps about 3 p.m. this afternoon. BLITZER: So basically what you're saying when you heard about this, that this suspect grabbed a gun from a female deputy sheriff inside the courtroom and then killed the judge, killed the court stenographer, went on a rampage, how much of a surprise was this to you, given the knowledge, the personal relationship you have had with this suspect?

HAZEN: So it wasn't really a surprise, because there had been an incident a couple of days ago where a deputy reported to the judge that Mr. Nichols had two metal objects, one in each shoe, when he went from the courthouse back to the Fulton County jail. The objects looked to be like heavy hinges. And one of them had a piece of material, cloth strung through a hole in the object.

And the judge brought it to my attention and the attention of the assistant district attorneys, who were also trying the case yesterday morning. And everyone expressed concern about security. And Judge Barnes indicated to us that he was going to have security in the courtroom beefed up for the remainder of the trial. We were most concerned what reaction we would get if a jury were to convict him.

BLITZER: Because you thought he was unstable, is that what you're suggesting?

HAZEN: Well, not necessarily unstable. I didn't think he was unstable but if somebody does come to a courtroom, and they've got what certainly can be used as a weapon secreted in their shoes, that's certainly going to raise your concerns about security and, you know, what his response might be if he were to be convicted. Also, it's a contraband. It's not something he's supposed to have. The concern was, how is he getting this stuff?

BLITZER: He's clearly a big, strong man: 6'1", 210 pounds. When was the last time you spoke with him?

HAZEN: I spoke to him yesterday about 5 p.m. in the afternoon as the court was over, and I was packing up my belongings and leaving. That was the last time I saw him. That would have been in the courtroom, because he wouldn't leave the courtroom until all the jurors left because, of course, he was still in custody, and we didn't want the jurors to see him in handcuffs. That would have been the typical protocol.

BLITZER: Were you ever scared of this client of yours?

HAZEN: No. He never indicated to me that he was violent or that he would likely be violent toward me.

BLITZER: So what happens next? What do you think -- what do you think this man is capable of doing now, now that he's on the loose?

HAZEN: Well, if the allegations are true, then he's capable of doing just about anything.

BLITZER: So, as the police say, he's armed and very, very dangerous. Barry Hazen, the attorney for the suspect in this case, Brian Nichols. Thanks very much for joining us.

HAZEN: Thank you.

BLITZER: Chilling information indeed. The killings are putting court security nationwide under scrutiny, and some say changes must be made and made quickly.

CNN's Mary Snow is on that part of the story. She's joining us live from New York -- Mary.

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11, security was beefed up at courthouses across the country. But today's murders, some say, are a wakeup call that more needs to be done.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW (voice-over): For those familiar with the Fulton County Courthouse, there are mixed views of security.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Security over there, the amount of deputies they had, the way they did security, the way they lend themselves to being attacked like they did today, I mean, it was bound to happen. I've told many judges. And just, like, it just went deaf ear.

SNOW: Others say no one could have predicted what happened.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know what differently you could do with security, because at times, there are 250 to 400 inmates brought to the courthouse every day.

SNOW: The Atlanta shooting follows a fatal attack on a judge's family in Chicago last month, that coming just days after a gunman outside a Tyler, Texas, courthouse shot and killed two people. Different circumstances, different jurisdictions, but one main theme.

TIM FAUTSKO, NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS: It does, in fact, become a wakeup call.

SNOW: Tim Fautsko of the National Center for State Courts says because states keep individual data, it is difficult to gauge the number of violent cases on the local level.

FAUTSKO: I think the courts will re-examine their policies and their protocols: do you bring guns into the courtroom or do you not?

SNOW: In county courts like this one in Arlington County, Virginia, the sheriff points out when it comes to training, there are no national standards. So this courthouse looks to federal marshals for guidance.

SHERIFF BETH ARTHUR, ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA: So you have to look at best practices and then come up with standards that you feel are going to be the best for your community, and also there's a money issue. SNOW: And lack of money is one of the topics expected to be discussed when federal judges meet next week to talk about a number of issues, including security.

JANE ROTH, JUDGE: We are very concerned about...

SNOW: Judge Jane Roth plans to outline some measures to try and protect judges.

ROTH: I think having home alarm systems for judges is very important. Right now, the marshal service will do an evaluation of every judge's home at his or her request. And I have requested such an evaluation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW: And Judge Roth will be attending the judicial conference next week. She also plans to meet with the attorney general. And the U.S. marshal service estimates there are about 700 threats made each year to federal judges -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Mary Snow reporting for us. Thank you, Mary, very much.

Emotional reaction from those who knew the victims.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NANCY GRACE, FORMER PROSECUTOR: I am heartbroken. I'd been playing softball with Judge Barnes since 1987 when I was a rookie prosecutor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: We'll hear from CNN's Nancy Grace, who knows two of the victims, professionally and personally.

Also, a city in chaos. The impact of the shooting and the manhunt on Atlanta.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: You're looking at live pictures: Interstate 85 in and around Atlanta. Police suspect a green Honda Accord. You can see that. Call 911 if you have any information involving the suspect in the killing of a Fulton County superior judge, a court stenographer and a deputy sheriff. Call 911 if you know anything about this case. They're anxious to get your information.

We're trying to get more information on what's going on in this developing story. We're joined now by Fulton County commission chairwoman, Karen Handel. She's at the CNN Center in Atlanta.

Is there new information coming out right now, Karen, based on what you know, the possible location of this suspect? KAREN HANDEL, CHAIR, FULTON COUNTY COMMISSION: At this point, no. The manhunt continues. And it's being spearheaded with a multijurisdictional effort.

BLITZER: When you say multijurisdictional, is it local, state? Are federal authorities involved as well?

HANDEL: At this point I Don't believe any federal authorities are available -- are involved, but local, state and from the county to the city, to state, with the GBI. And it's been very intensive, a very difficult, emotional day for everyone.

BLITZER: I can only imagine. The investigation, the search, the geography of the search must really expand with each hour that goes by, given the fact that, potentially, this suspect could have gotten another car and been moving around the state, for all we know, or perhaps beyond the state. Is that a fair assessment?

HANDEL: I mean, I Don't want to speculate about that. As I said, the investigation and the manhunt continues. And we have among the best and brightest law enforcement here in Fulton County and the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia. And I'm confident that they are going to apprehend this individual as quickly as possible.

BLITZER: Are we still assuming it's the green Honda that people should be looking out for, the green Honda?

HANDEL: That's the latest information I've received, yes.

BLITZER: And as -- and as far as the license plate, we're putting it up on the screen right now, and I'll read it for those of our viewers who may be -- may be listening on satellite radio. Georgia plate 6584 and the initials YN. That's the license plate on the green Honda that belonged to Don O'Briant of the "Atlanta Journal- Constitution" newspaper. We still assume that this suspect might be in that car.

HANDEL: That's correct.

BLITZER: Where does the investigation go? How widespread? What else can you be doing that they're not doing right now?

HANDEL: Well, at this point, the public safety officials, they're going to be leading the investigation and the manhunt.

And for all of us at Fulton County, I mean, we want to be focused on the families. This has been just a horrific tragedy for the judge's families and the clerk's families, as well as our sheriff's deputies. And we need to grieve and, you know, then move forward to doing a thorough investigation, as well, of all of the security issues.

BLITZER: The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous. If anyone watching this program or listening to this program, Karen, has information, what should they do?

HANDEL: They need to call 911 immediately, and they need to be very, very cautious and careful and not approach this suspect.

BLITZER: Karen Handel -- Handel, good luck to you and everyone involved in this search for this suspect. Thank you very much.

HANDEL: Thank you. Thank you.

BLITZER: CNN's Nancy Grace is a friend and a colleague of two of the victims. We'll hear from her later this hour.

Also...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm surprised it hasn't happened before. This is a guy that's going down, if he gets convicted, for life plus.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Should security have been tighter? We'll hear from a criminal defense attorney who says major changes need to be made. And this is the city, Atlanta, in the midst of a manhunt. CNN's Zain Verjee on the impact of the shooting and the manhunt on Atlanta and the surrounding area.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: I-75, interstate 75 in and around Atlanta. The search is on for a suspect, Brian Nichols, 33 years old, 6'1", 210 pounds. He's on the loose.

He's the suspect in the murder earlier today of a Fulton County superior judge, a court stenographer and a deputy sheriff and the wounding of another deputy sheriff. A massive manhunt under way right now.

Our coverage of the Atlanta shooting continues with more on one of the victims: Judge Rowland Barnes. He was appointed to the Fulton County Superior Court in 1998. By then, Governor Zell Miller fulfilling what friends say was a life-long ambition.

He presided over several high profile cases, including the vehicular homicide trial of pro hockey player, Danny Heatley. Colleagues described Judge Barnes as kind, warmhearted and fair, with one quoted as saying, "He was one of the most gentle people I have ever known."

For more now on Judge Barnes, we're joined by Manny Arora at the CNN Center in Atlanta. He was one of the attorneys representing Danny Heatley.

What about this judge, Manny? Tell us your impressions of the man.

MANNY ARORA, ATTORNEY: Wolf, he was one of the greatest people I've ever had the privilege to work with. I started in the D.A.'s office back in 1988 at the same time he was elected to the bench. Before I go on about the judge, I really want to pay my tribute to the court reporter that I've known for awhile as well as the deputy that was killed. It's terrible for their families also, I'm sure.

The judge was one of my mentors. He's the one that, after seven years of being a government lawyer, encouraged me to go into private practice, explore options, would give me guidance, would take you back in his chambers, talk to you like a human being and not just, you know, another lawyer.

I just can't say enough about him. I mean, I owe my entire career to this man.

BLITZER: You must be terribly heart broken like so many others. I've spoken to a lot of people who were very close to the judge during the course of this day, and everyone says exactly the same thing. So hard-working, struggled his whole career, finally got to the superior court and what a shocking, shocking tragedy. Tell us a little bit more about Judge Barnes.

ARORA: Judge Barnes is one of those guys that, you know, made decisions that he felt was right. He'd think about it. He was very intelligent and he would also listen to his heart before just making decisions.

He didn't care if it was a negative consequence or people didn't like what he was doing. He would do what was right. He was rarely ever reversed on appeal.

And he was just one of those people that had the courage to do the right thing, whether it was in the Heatley case or any other case that you probably talked about in the past.

He just cared genuinely about people. Just because you were a defendant he didn't treat you like some lesser human being. Because you were a defense lawyer, he didn't treat you as a lesser person. He respected everyone. And he had a great sense of humor. He'd joke about it. I can't say enough about him. I mean, it's such a terrible loss that, you know, we've had here today.

BLITZER: What about security in the courthouse? You obviously have spent a lot of time inside that courthouse, inside that courtroom. Was there a problem?

ARORA: I can't say, you know, what the problems are, Wolf. Those deputies are well trained. They've always been wonderful people. They've always been professionals every time I've had cases, whether we've prosecuted or defended.

I just figure it's one of those things, where sometimes, somebody's going to get the better of you. And unfortunately, this individual, at 6'1" and 200-some-odd pounds got the better of the deputy.

And I mean, I don't know if more security would do something. It's easy to Monday morning quarterback. But those deputies work darn hard, and I don't think they should be criticized right now.

BLITZER: You've brought criminal defendants into that courthouse. Did you feel -- did you ever feel threatened?

ARORA: I can't say at this point in my life I've ever felt threatened by anybody. I've usually had good relationships with my clients, but that doesn't mean in the future something may not happen.

And if I felt threatened, it's one of the situations where I'd inform the court and probably get myself off the case and let somebody else with a fresh perspective go in, because if I ever felt threatened, I don't think I could honestly defend that person to the best of my ability.

BLITZER: As you look back on the career of Judge Barnes and his family, the emotional moment, the tragedy of what has occurred, no one could have predicted this, clearly, unfolding, but how much of a chilling effect will it have on the judicial system where you are in Georgia?

ARORA: I think it is going to have a chill chilling effect here in Georgia, in our county, as well as the rest of the country, with the rash of shootings we've had here in the listen few weeks.

And it's unfortunate, because a lot of other defendants that aren't violent are going to be suffering from this. I'm sure they're going to be wearing more handcuffs and things throughout the courtroom, where as before they were given the respect of not having to have the courtrooms -- it may be a smart thing for a while until things cool off.

But it's going to hurt a lot people that aren't obviously violent felons or drug folks, because security is going to get really tight. Bail issues are going to probably get worse at this point for a while. And, you know, it's unfortunate, but it may be the right thing to do at this point until we figure out a good solution.

BLITZER: Manny Arora, thanks very much for spending a few moments with us reflecting about this judge and outstanding man, clearly, by everyone's account. Manny, thank you very much.

ARORA: Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Nancy Grace also knew the victims, Judge Rowland Barnes and court reporter Julie Brandau, both professionally and personally.

I spoke with Nancy earlier today in a very emotional interview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NANCY GRACE, FORMER PROSECUTOR: I am en route to Atlanta right now. I am heartbroken.

I've been playing softball with Judge Barnes since 1987, when I was a rookie prosecutor. And his court reporter, Julie, had just been up visiting me, staying with me in New York this past couple of months. And I'm just -- I'm stunned.

Wolf, there were a million times we as prosecutors and judges walk into the courtroom going about our everyday business as public servants. And I am stunned. I am stunned about Judge Barnes' death and Julie's death, and the two deputy sheriffs trying to do their job.

Everybody keeps talking about how, maybe there was an accomplice. Listen, Wolf, anybody that's been in and out of that courthouse can figure out the lay of the courthouse. It is what it is. The man grabbed the gun and unloaded rather than go to jail on a rape charge. That's what happened.

BLITZER: Talk a little bit about Judge Barnes, Nancy. Give us some personal thoughts that are going through your mind right now.

GRACE: Wolf, I can't tell you how many times that I sat in the stands and cheered a softball game with Judge Barnes. He was a state court judge for many, many years, coming up in the ranks like all of us, as a trial lawyer.

And Wolf, when he made superior court judge, usually, you know, there are political hacks or appointees. This is a guy that everybody said, thank God somebody like Barnes finally made the bench. This makes it all worthwhile.

All I can say is Barnes was the kind of person that I was proud to practice in front of.

BLITZER: You have to ask yourself, how can these things happen? How can such a tragedy occur to such a good man who worked so hard to do -- to do right in the courtroom? It's just such a painful experience, but it does raise the question of security for judges, security for court personnel, not only in Atlanta, Nancy, but all around the country.

What needs to be done?

GRACE: Wolf, so many times I've sat in the courtroom and I've, you know, looked -- sitting there unarmed, of course. I was never armed in court.

The deputies would have their guns, and we would have 20, 30, sometimes 50 violent offenders. They were not all shackled, and they were there in the courtroom.

It is a risk that's being taken every day -- in every courtroom in this country. And Wolf, I just -- I just hate that it had to be Judge Barnes and his beautiful court reporter, Julie, that had to pay this horrible, horrible price.

And Wolf, the judge has a girl. He has a beautiful girl. And I'm just -- to have your father killed in this way as a public servant -- I mean, Wolf, this guy has tried so many cases.

He was one of the most decent lawyers I have ever known. And I'm stunned. I can hardly speak. (END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Nancy Grace speaking with me earlier today here on CNN. Nancy is now in Atlanta. She's preparing special coverage of this courthouse shooting. You can see her program tonight on CNN Headline News, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Pacific, Nancy Grace tonight on "Headline News Prime," 8:00 p.m. eastern.

Southeast manhunt and the impact of today's tragedy on the city of Atlanta, our Zain Verjee standing by at the scene of the killings. She has reaction from across the country and the city. Plus, a prosecutor who works in the Atlanta courthouse says he's not surprised by today's slayings. He'll tell us why. That's coming up, live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. The search is on for the killer of a judge, a court reporter and a deputy sheriff, all shot dead in downtown Atlanta. Our Zain Verjee is at the scene. She'll join us live in a moment.

First, though, a quick check of some other stories now in the news.

When it comes to Iran's nuclear program, President Bush has tried tough talk. Now he'll let others do some sweet-talking. The Bush administration says it will back European diplomatic efforts aimed at coaxing Iran to give up any nuclear weapons ambitions. Along with that come economic incentives. The U.S. will not oppose Iran's eventual membership in the World Trade Organization and will allow some sales of civilian aircraft parts.

Is the United Nations about to get tough with Syria? While the last Syrian forces have reportedly left northern Lebanon, the U.N.'s Middle East envoy, Terje Larsen, said today, Syria must provide timetables for a full withdrawal, as demanded by the U.N. Security Council. Larsen is to meet with Syria's president tomorrow, Bashar Al Assad, tomorrow. "The Washington Post" cites both U.N. and U.S. officials as saying Larsen will warn that Syria faces political and economic isolation if it doesn't comply, but Larsen says he's looking for a constructive dialogue.

Chicago Police say there's DNA -- a DNA match in the case of the Chicago federal judge whose husband and mother were murdered. They say DNA from Bart Ross, whose suicide note claimed responsibility for the killings, matches DNA from a cigarette butt found at the scene. But investigators add, the case is not yet closed.

Now back to our top story, today's courtroom shootings in Atlanta. The hunt continues for a rape defendant accused of killing a judge, a court reporter and a deputy sheriff. The slayings sent shockwaves through Atlanta, just as the city was getting ready to host a major weekend basketball tournament.

Let's go live to the scene, our Zain Verjee joining us live -- Zain. ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, behind me is the courthouse where the shootings happened.

Now, I just want to give you a feel for the area. About a block away from the courthouse is the state Capitol. The Coca-Cola Museum's also here. And, Wolf, just across from that is the parking deck where the suspect hijacked a car. So, this is essentially an area where a lot of tourists frequent.

But, on this day, Atlanta residents were affected.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Atlanta Motors is handling that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right.

VERJEE (voice-over): Atlanta on alert, as a manhunt for a murderer intensifies. Law enforcement and news helicopters fly in the sky, while, on the ground, highway signs beam descriptions of the getaway car the killer's believed to be in.

In heavy Friday Atlanta traffic, residents have been asked to be on the lookout for the car. The courthouse has been locked down and roads around it have been blocked off. Some schools in metro Atlanta also locked down for hours, a spokesman for Atlanta public schools stressed there was no imminent danger, but caution is key.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What we really don't want is people roaming around the vicinity of the schools, either coming in or going out, while Atlanta Police Department is conducting its manhunt.

VERJEE: Barely blocks away from this, basketball fans in Atlanta. Thousands of them are here for the Southeastern Conference college basketball tournament and the danger is on some minds, like Larry from Arkansas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very scary, scary. It's scare -- it's the way -- the world we live in today.

VERJEE: Others are focused on the party and the game, like Bruce from Kentucky.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody's in such a festive mood. I guess a lot of people aren't thinking about it. We're looking for a win today with Florida.

VERJEE: Walter from Mississippi has a different perspective.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is funny, because you see like, the Westin, where we stay, everybody's happy and ready to go to the game. And then there's now three people -- I presume three people -- now been killed. And just -- it's sad.

(END VIDEOTAPE) VERJEE: Georgia Governor, Wolf, Sonny Perdue has ordered that all flags be put at half-staff on all state offices as soon and -- until the funerals of the victims have been held -- Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Zain Verjee on the scene for us -- Zain, thank you very much.

When we come back, should security inside the courthouse, should security have been tighter? We'll hear from a criminal defense attorney who says major changes need to be made.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back.

Is there lax security at the Fulton County Courthouse? And is that partially to blame for the tragedy that occurred today?

Darryl Cohen is joining us from Atlanta. He's a criminal defense attorney, practices there, and has suggested that some changes need to be made.

Darryl, talk about the changes you recommend, given your experience inside that courthouse.

DARRYL COHEN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, Wolf, this is not the first time that has happened.

About 20 years ago, the same thing happened on the eighth floor of the old courthouse. Someone was subdued. He was subdued in the men's room. A shot was fired. Fortunately, at that time, no one was injured. What I believe is, A, the prisoners need to be shackled. B, there's no excuse for a law enforcement person to have a weapon such -- any type of gun as they're escorting a prisoner or prisoners to the courtroom.

I don't believe there's a place for guns in the courtroom, but if I'm wrong, at least the deputies that are in the courtroom that are not escorting the prisoners, that are not near the prisoners are the ones that should be handling that weapon, not someone who is escorting a prisoner. And, in this instance, the guy had a shank. The defendant had a shank on Wednesday morning. What type of a wakeup call does it take? We need to take this and make this a teachable moment. The tragedy, we can't get rid of.

BLITZER: Well, doesn't it make sense, though, that if somebody can smuggle, let's say, a knife in that the law enforcement authorities, who are there to protect the judge, the personnel, the witnesses, the lawyers, someone needs a gun in there if it comes down to having to protect people's lives?

COHEN: Well, Wolf, in my opinion, you don't.

But, again, if I'm wrong, if the deputies have guns, that's fine. But it should not be the deputies that are also escorting the prisoners to the courtroom or escorting the prisoners that are sitting in the jury box waiting to enter pleas of guilty or not guilty. You don't put a weapon next to a person or persons that you know are violent.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: What happens if that -- what happens if that suspect, shall we say, that criminal attacks the person, the law enforcement officer who's bringing that criminal inside the courtroom?

COHEN: Absent a gun, no one's going to be killed. If that law enforcement officer, as an example, has a taser, then, at the very worse, that officer, if overpowered, is going to be hurt with a taser. The other officers will be able to come to his or her rescue and this person will be brought under control.

In this instance, when you put a gun in the hands of a known criminal or a known criminal puts a gun in his or her own hands, nothing but tragedy can occur.

BLITZER: We have to leave it, unfortunately right there. Darryl Cohen, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us on this very, very sad day.

COHEN: Thank you.

BLITZER: We'll think another quick break.

When we come back, a nation remembers a tragedy one year later, as Muslims in Spain officially denounce Osama bin Laden by declaring a fatwa against the al Qaeda leader. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: One year ago, bombs ripped through four commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people and wounding more than 1,500 others. Today, Spain stopped to remember and the country's Muslim clerics declared al Qaeda's leader an outcast.

CNN's Matthew Chance is live in Madrid -- Matthew.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, thanks very much.

And you join me outside the train station in central Madrid, which has become a site of a sort of special pilgrimage for many people in this Spanish capital wanting to remember the dead and the injured. It's right in the center of the town. It's where many of the dead and injured came through.

I just want to quickly step out of the way of the camera for a moment to show you the kinds of tributes that people are paying here, lighting candles, laying wreaths, leaving photographs, things like that, anything so they can remember and pay tribute to the dead one year on, a day, of course, Wolf, when Spain remembered its past year.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHANCE (voice-over): Seven thirty-seven a.m., a year to the minute since the first of 10 bombs exploded. Bells tolled in 600 churches across Madrid, a solemn memorial for a nation still in grief.

For the city's thousands of commuters, the morning started much like any other. On the surface, the daily rush of life has returned to normal. But at the interactive memorials in the Atocha train station, people paused to remember, some leaving handprints and messages as a tribute. We met Gloria Imetai (ph), who told me their city had moved on, but not forgotten.

"We have to keep going," Gloria told me, "but we will keep all of them in our hearts."

Then, at midday, the Spanish capital came to a halt, a five- minute silence for 191 souls. The official memorial was brief and low-key. King Mohammed of more Morocco paid tribute. Most of the suspected bombers affiliated with al Qaeda came from his country. This was a show of unity. And Spain's biggest Muslim group offered its sympathies, too, issuing an unprecedented fatwa, condemning Osama bin Laden and his followers. It could have come sooner, but this was a symbolic gesture aimed at those who take Spain's close bonds with the Islamic world as a threat.

MANSUR ESCUDERO, ISLAMIC COMMISSION OF SPAIN: I hope that they understand that the Spanish society and the Muslims all over, we are supporting this alliance and we are all going to fight for it any way.

CHANCE: Welcome words for many in a country which prides itself on its tolerance, a strength sorely tested a year ago and reaffirmed today.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHANCE: Wolf, thank you.

So far, 74 people have been charged in this investigation. Authorities, though, are being very careful to warn the people of Spain the threat of terrorism is still there -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Matthew chance in Madrid -- thank you, Matthew.

Finally, four decades later, a secret U.S. nuclear test blast is still making quite an impact half a world away.

CNN's Tom Foreman explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two, one, fire.

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): News that the U.S. government apparently conducted a secret nuclear test in Sudan in 1962 created a shockwave all its own. On Al-Jazeera, one Sudanese official demanded an American explanation, saying the Sudanese government takes this issue seriously, while another suggested American nuclear tests might be responsible for cancer in his country.

At the Federation of American Scientists, Steven Aftergood was stunned by the news, too.

STEVEN AFTERGOOD, FEDERATION OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS: I thought, wow, here's a historical revelation that will cause the history books to be rewritten. No one's ever heard of a U.S. nuclear test in the Sudan in 1962.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The familiar mushroom cloud snakes skyward.

FOREMAN: Aftergood looked at the government transcript from which the story came and it did say, in a recent congressional hearing, California Representative Ellen Tauscher said the Sudan test displaced 12 million tons of earth and dug a crater 320 feet deep. That description matches a nuclear test in 1962 all right, but not in Sudan. The test described took place in Nevada, under the code name Sedan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sedan was detonated at 10:00 a.m., July 6, 1962.

FOREMAN: The congresswoman's office has since confirmed the Nevada test, Project Sedan, is what she was talking about. Her words were indeed miscopied into the written record.

(on camera): So, the story is over, right? Wrong. Since the initial mistake, news of this American nuclear test, which never happened, has been picked up not only in the Arab world, but also by a Chinese news service.

AFTERGOOD: It's an amazing demonstration of the way information flows in our world today and how it has enormous potential to mislead, as well as to inform.

FOREMAN (voice-over): And even though Sudanese officials say they now accept the U.S. explanation, they'll keep investigating the American nuclear test that never was.

Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And that's it for me.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com