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 Terror focuses on the events of April 19, 1995, 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 join Netflix’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, to provide new insight into the tragic events and Timothy McVeigh’s motivations for the bombing. The documentary reveals what happened to Timothy McVeigh after 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 ᴀssisted by Terry Nichols, who was also apprehended for his involvement in the crimes.

Terry Nichols Turned Himself In On April 21, 1995

He Was Held As A Material Witness Until May 10, 1995

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 (via The 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 Mᴀssacre in 1993, an event that is believed to have motivated them to take action against the U.S. government (via History).

Terry Nichols played a significant role in ᴀssisting McVeigh in creating the bomb used on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, including renting a storage unit, In the months prior to the bombing, Nichols reportedly stole large quanтιтies 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 (via Moviedelic). Nichols didn’t accompany McVeigh to Oklahoma on the day of the bombing, having stayed with family in Kansas (via Fox 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 (via Oklahoma City Memorial Museum). On April 21, 1995, Nichols turned himself in to the authorities and, after questioning, he was arrested for his involvement in the bombing. He was held as a material witness until he was formally charged on May 10, 1995.

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 August 11, 1995. 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 (via Famous Trials). Nichols’ trial began in June 1997, after Timothy McVeigh was sentenced to death for 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 mᴀss destruction resulting in death, and eight counts of murder of 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 December 24, 1997, Nichols was convicted of conspiracy and the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole (via Washington 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 (via CNN). 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 (via NBC 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. In an interview with KOCO 5 News, Justice Steven Taylor explained that during Nichols’ separate trials, the jury ᴅᴇᴀᴅlocked over his sentence and a judge cannot serve the death penalty when the jury ᴅᴇᴀᴅlocks. 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 (via Biography).

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 (via The Oklahoman). Jannie Coverdale, who lost her two grandsons in the bombing, stated that she has since forgiven Nichols for his involvement (via KFOR). As seen throughout Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror, Terry Nichols played a large role in one of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅliest 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,