McVeigh Chronology
April 19, 1995 - Bomb rips through the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City at 9:02 a.m. McVeigh arrested on firearms charge about 90 minutes later after routine traffic stop. Last survivor of blast pulled from wreckage late that night.
April 20 - Authorities release sketches of suspects John Doe No. 1 and John Doe No. 2.
April 21 - Federal authorities arrest McVeigh, who resembles sketch of John Doe No. 1, in connection with bombing only hours before he was expected to make bail on firearms charge. Terry Nichols, eventually convicted as co-conspirator, surrenders.
May 4 - Rescue workers end search for victims. Final death count stands at 168.
May 10 - Nichols formally charged in bombing.
June 14 - Federal authorities admit sketches of mysterious John Doe No. 2 resemble innocent Army private.
Aug. 11 - Federal grand jury indicts McVeigh and Nichols on murder and conspiracy charges, but finds they acted with "others unknown." Michael Fortier pleads guilty to minor firearms charge as part of plea bargain.
Oct. 20 - Attorney General Janet Reno gives prosecutors permission to seek death penalty against McVeigh and Nichols.
Feb. 20, 1996 - Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch moves case to Denver, ruling McVeigh and Nichols have been "demonized" by intense media coverage in Oklahoma.
March 31, 1997 - Jury selection begins in McVeigh's trial.
June 2 - Jury convicts McVeigh on all 11 murder and conspiracy counts against him.
June 13 - Jury condemns McVeigh to die by injection.
Aug. 14 - McVeigh formally sentenced to death.
Sept. 8 - 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirms conviction.
Dec. 23 - Nichols convicted of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter, acquitted of weapons and explosives charges.
June 4, 1998 - Matsch, calling Nichols an "enemy of the Constitution," sentences him to life in prison without parole.
March 8, 1999 - U.S. Supreme Court rejects McVeigh's appeal.
Oct. 12, 2000 - U.S. District Court in Denver denies McVeigh's request for new trial.
Dec. 28 - Matsch holds hearing to make sure McVeigh understands he's dropping appeals. McVeigh says he wants execution date set, but reserves right to seek presidential clemency.
Jan. 11, 2001 - McVeigh lets deadline pass for changing his decision.
Jan. 16 - United States sets May 16 execution date.
Feb. 16 - McVeigh lets clemency filing deadline pass.
May 10 - Justice Department begins turning over thousands of FBI bombing investigation documents to McVeigh's attorneys.
May 11 - Attorney General John Ashcroft delays McVeigh's execution until June 11.
May 31 - McVeigh agrees to seek delay in execution.
June 6 - Matsch rejects request to delay execution.
June 7 - 10th U.S. Circuit denies appeal; McVeigh abandons further appeals.
Back to Archived Stories Index