FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AG THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1995 (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888 ATTORNEY GENERAL'S STATEMENT Today a federal grand jury in Oklahoma City has returned two indictments. In the first, Timothy James McVeigh and Terry Lynn Nichols are charged with the April 19th bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. The indictment contains 11 counts. The first three are for conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction to kill persons and destroy federal property, for using a truck bomb to kill people, and for malicious destruction of federal property resulting in death. The remaining eight counts are for violating a federal murder statute that punishes the killing of federal law enforcement officials -- one count for each of the eight law enforcement officers killed in the blast. The indictment lists by name all of the persons who died inside the building. The maximum possible penalty is death. In the second, separate indictment, Michael J. Fortier is charged with four crimes, including having knowledge of McVeigh's and Nichols bombing plan and concealing it from law enforcement officials, and several weapons offenses. He faces a maximum of 23 years in prison. At the same time, the U.S. Attorney in Detroit is today moving to dismiss charges against James Nichols who was indicted for possession of illegal destructive devices four months ago. The FBI will continue its investigation to determine whether additional individuals aided Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols in the conspiracy alleged in the indictment. I want to say that I am grateful to the hundreds of men and women of the FBI, ATF, state and local police, the Oklahoma City District Attorney's office, the U.S. Attorneys offices and the Justice Department whose commitment and professionalism contributed to the progress of this case. By their hard work, they have assured us that the rules of a civilized society will be enforced. ##### 95-439