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.
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95-439