Judge James Bodiford

Looks like two Atlanta stations, WGCL and WXIA, are streaming the Brian Nichols trial live on their websites.  It appears attorneys will give their opening statements this afternoon.

Rebekka Schramm, WGCL

If you go to WGCL’s site in the half-hour prior to a newscast, you might also get an advance view of Rebekka Schramm’s taped package, fed from the live truck outside the Atlanta Municipal courthouse.  You may also see the reporter’s “check one two three” audio checks prior to her live shots.

WXIA’s site is the better choice.  The stream appears on its home page, unfettered by commercials or the annoying flashes that appear on WGCL’s stream.  WXIA also includes a blog by veteran reporter Jon Shirek, who is covering the trial.

Like many reporters, Shirek insists on calling Nichols the accused courthouse “shooter,” a term we prefer to reserve for drinks or news photographers.  Nichols is an accused (actually, admitted) “killer.”  In the old days, he’d be called an accused “mass murderer.”  Calling Nichols a “shooter” is a very limp way to characterize the charges against him.  But we nitpick.  It’s what we do.