Deputies absent day judge was shot

ATLANTA, July 2 (UPI) -- Absenteeism by courthouse deputies contributed to lax security the day a prisoner killed three people and escaped, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The newspaper said four deputies assigned to the Fulton County Courthouse had called in sick on March 11 and a fifth took the day off for an emergency. One of the absent deputies had been assigned to provide additional security at Judge Rowland Barnes' courtroom.

Brian Nichols was on trial for rape in Barnes' courtroom. Deputy Cynthia Hall was the only person assigned to guard him when he grabbed her gun after she unlocked his handcuffs and shot her, although not fatally.

Nichols then entered the courtroom, where he killed the judge, his court reporter and another deputy. He is also charged with killing a federal immigration agent to get his car.

The Journal-Constitution reported deputies call in sick twice as often on Fridays as on any other day. March 11 was a Friday.