Jeralyn Merritt: Is this death penalty trial necessary?

The death penalty trial of Brian Nichols, accused of the notorious 2005 Atlanta courthouse killings, will begin Thursday. It will be nationally televised on Court TV.

We all remember the horrifying news. Nichols, a rape defendant in custody, was being brought to the courthouse for a hearing. While in court, he allegedly stole a gun from a sheriff’s deputy and shot and killed a judge and court reporter.