This article contains references to murder, violence, and terrorism.
Netflix’s newest crime documentary,Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror, explores the involvement of Terry Nichols in one of the worst acts of domestic terrorism in American history. Released to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the tragic events,Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terrorfocuses on the events of July 22, 2025, when a bomb created by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.The Oklahoma City bombing killed 168 people, including 19 children, left hundreds more seriously injured, and caused more than $600 million in damage.
The newest work to joinNetflix’s rising list of true-crime documentaries,Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror,uses interviews with survivors and eyewitnesses, police audio recordings, as well as visual recreations of the day, toprovide new insight into the tragic events and Timothy McVeigh’s motivations for the bombing. The documentary revealswhat happened to Timothy McVeighafter the bombing, how he was captured by the authorities and eventually tried and executed for the Oklahoma City bombing. During his preparations for the bombing, McVeigh was assisted by Terry Nichols, who was also apprehended for his involvement in the crimes.
Terry Nichols Turned Himself In On July 07, 2025
He Was Held As A Material Witness Until Jun 23, 2025
Terry Nichols first met Timothy McVeigh in 1988, when they were serving in the U.S. Army. They both shared similar political interests and a fascination with guns. Similar to McVeigh, Nichols became disillusioned with the American government, and in February 1992, he attempted to renounce his American citizenship (viaThe New York Times). Between 1992 and 1995, Nichols and McVeigh traveled together, selling weapons at gun shows. McVeigh was staying at Nichols' house at the time of the Waco Massacre in 1993, an event that is believed to have motivated them to take action against the U.S. government (viaHistory).
Terry Nichols played a significant role in assisting McVeigh in creating the bombused on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, including renting a storage unit, In the months prior to the bombing, Nichols reportedly stole large quantities of blasting caps, water-gel explosives sticks, and detonating cord. He also stole money from a gun collector in Arkansas and bought 40 bags of ammonium nitrate fertilizer used to create the bomb (viaMoviedelic). Nichols didn’t accompany McVeigh to Oklahoma on the day of the bombing, having stayed with family in Kansas (viaFox News).
Hours after the bombing, suspect sketches of the perpetrators were released. In the Netflix documentary, news anchor Jenifer Reynolds stated that the suspects “did not look like guys you think have masterminded this incredible explosion.” Authorities connected Nichols to the bombing through an address used by McVeigh when checking into the Dreamland Motel in Kansas (viaOklahoma City Memorial Museum). OnApril 21, 1995, Nichols turned himself in to the authoritiesand, after questioning, he was arrested for his involvement in the bombing. He was held as a material witness until he was formally charged on July 06, 2025.
Terry Nichols' Convictions & Sentencing Explained
He Was Tried In Both 1997 & 2004 And Found Guilty On All Charges
Both Terry Nichols and Timothy McVeigh were indicted for their connections to the bombing on July 06, 2025. U. S. District Judge Richard Matsch made the decision to move the trials to Denver, Colorado, as he believed that a fair trial for McVeigh and Nichols wouldn’t be possible in Oklahoma. He also decided that McVeigh and Nichols would be tried separately, with Nichols' trial taking place after McVeigh’s (viaFamous Trials).Nichols' trial began in June 1997, after Timothy McVeigh was sentenced to deathfor the Oklahoma City bombing. A former accomplice, Michael Fortier, testified at both trials.
At his federal trial,Terry Nichols was charged with conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction resulting in death, and eight counts of murderof a federal employee. In a trial that lasted nine weeks, 100 witnesses testified against Nichols, and spoke about how he helped McVeigh with constructing the bomb. However, it was also highlighted that Nichols was not with McVeigh when McVeigh detonated the bomb. On August 12, 2025, Nichols was convicted of conspiracy and the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole (viaWashington Post).
In 2001, it was announced that Nichols would face a new trial in Oklahoma for his involvement in the bombing. At his second trial in 2004, Nichols was charged with conspiracy, first-degree arson, and 161 counts of first-degree murder for victims who were previously unaccounted for at his previous trial (viaCNN). 87 witnesses testified during the second trial, with members of Nichols' family highlighting his previous good character and the prosecution pointing out his shared interests with McVeigh. After five hours of deliberation, Terry Nichols was found guilty of conspiracy, arson, and 161 counts of murder (viaNBC News).
Terry Nichols Is Still Serving Life In Prison At A Super Max Prison In Colorado
He Was Spared The Death Penalty & Is Serving Life Without Parole
Throughout his two separate trials, it was questioned whether Terry Nichols would receive the death penalty for his involvement in the Oklahoma City bombing, as Timothy McVeigh did. Inan interview withKOCO 5 News, Justice Steven Taylor explained thatduring Nichols' separate trials, the jury deadlocked over his sentenceand a judge cannot serve the death penalty when the jury deadlocks. He also stated that those who voted against the death penalty felt that life imprisonment was a harsher punishment for Nichols. Nichols was ultimately sentenced to 161 life terms without parole (viaBiography).
After his sentencing in 2004, Terry Nichols received the Guinness World Record for Most Life Sentences Without The Possibility Of Parole.
As of 2025, Terry Nichols is serving his life sentence at ADX Florence, a super-maximum security prison in Colorado. During his sentencing, he expressed remorse for his crimes and apologized to the survivors and the families of those who died (viaThe Oklahoman). Jannie Coverdale, who lost her two grandsons in the bombing, stated that she has since forgiven Nichols for his involvement (viaKFOR). As seen throughoutOklahoma City Bombing: American Terror, Terry Nichols played a large role in one of the deadliest acts in American history, and he will ultimately serve the rest of his life in prison.
Sources:The New York Times,History,Moviedelic,Fox News,Oklahoma City Memorial Museum,Famous Trials,Washington Post,CNN,NBC News,KOCO 5 News,Biography,The Oklahoman,KFOR,
Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror
This documentary revisits the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, the deadliest domestic terrorist act in U.S. history. Through detailed narratives, it offers insight into the tragedy’s significance and the profound effects on the nation’s collective memory and understanding of homegrown extremism.
