Oklahoma

Deliberations conclude in OKC bombing trial

The jury in the Terry Nichols’ murder trial ended a second day of deliberations Thursday without deciding whether the Oklahoma City bombing conspirator should live or die.

Jurors got the case after prosecutors urged them to impose the death penalty. If jurors cannot reach a decision, Judge Steven Taylor will be required to sentence Nichols to life in prison.

Deliberations were to resume today, the third anniversary of the execution of Timothy McVeigh, Nichols’ co-conspirator in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building.

Connecticut

Court to decide whether governor must testify

Connecticut’s highest court agreed Thursday to decide whether Gov. John G. Rowland can be forced to testify before a House impeachment panel.

Lawmakers have subpoenaed Rowland to testify about gifts he received from state contractors, employees and friends and about whether he provided anything in return.

Rowland’s attorneys say the legislative branch does not have the authority to order a member of the executive branch to testify.

If the high court rules against him, Rowland would be the first sitting governor in U.S. history ordered to testify before a legislative body, attorneys for both sides say.

Both the governor and the legislative committee trying to force his testimony asked the court to take up the case.