Brian Nichols trial begins
Nichols was on trial on charges of kidnapping and raping his former girlfriend when he allegedly assaulted a deputy, escaped from his holding cell at the Fulton courthouse in downtown Atlanta and went on the shooting rampage. He evaded capture downtown and was arrested a day later after taking a Gwinnett County woman hostage in her apartment. In this photo, defense attorney Joe Guastaferro listens to the opening proceedings. John Spink/jspink@ajc.com
