Brian Gene Nichols (born December 10, 1971) is a convicted murderer known for his escape and killing spree in the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 11, 2005.

The prosecution charged him with committing 54 crimes during the escape; he was found guilty on all counts on November 7, 2008, and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

Nichols grew up in a middle class household in Baltimore, Maryland, and attended Cardinal Gibbons School.

[3] Nichols was arrested on multiple charges for the rape, kidnapping, and assault of a former girlfriend after discovering that she was dating a minister from the church that they both attended.

Nichols encountered case managers Susan Christy and Gina Clarke Thomas and attorney David Allman, whom he held at gunpoint and demanded lead him to Barnes's chambers.

[10] Later that day, Nichols fatally shot ICE Special Agent David G. Wilhelm and stole his badge, gun, and pickup truck.

[12] She tried convincing Nichols to turn himself in by telling him about her husband's death, and showing him a scar she got in a car wreck while under the influence of drugs.

[15] Nichols was taken to a Federal Bureau of Investigation field office in Decatur, Georgia, and then to an Atlanta Police Station, where he confessed on video and detailed his crimes.

The trial was placed on hold to find new accommodation, as Superior Court Judge James Bodiford ruled that "fundamental fairness" made a different location necessary.

[26][27] Nichols's defense argued that he was insane and should not be held accountable for his actions, stating that he had previously shown signs of depression and suicidal ideations after breaking up with his girlfriend.

The defense provided college papers written by Nichols expressing conspiracy theories that white people were conspiring to eradicate the black race.

[34] Ashley Smith wrote a book about her ordeal with Nichols titled, Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero.