October 6, 2008

ATLANTA (AP) -- The woman who was credited with helping to end
accused courthouse gunman Brian Nichols' shooting spree took the
stand Monday to recount her hourslong captivity.
Authorities say Ashley Smith Robinson's calm dealings with her
captor helped bring about Nichols' surrender. She says he took her
hostage in her suburban Atlanta apartment for several hours and she
called 911 when he let her leave to see her daughter.
Smith Robinson said Monday she gave Nichols some methamphetamine but refused to use the drug herself.
Prosecutors say Nichols was being escorted to a courtroom where
he was being tried for rape on March 11, 2005, when he beat a
deputy guarding him, stole her gun and went on a shooting spree
that left a judge, a court reporter, a deputy and a federal agent
dead.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press