ABC News "Nightline" Terry Nichols Poll, January 1998

This special topic poll sought respondents' views on the jury verdict convicting Terry Nichols of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 and acquitting Nichols of first-degree murder and the use of a truck bomb in the bombing. Respondents were asked whether they believed that Nichols should have been found guilty of murder, whether Nichols should have received the death penalty, and whether the judge should sentence Nichols to life in prison or a lesser penalty. Those queried were also asked whether they believed that Nichols should be put on trial for the deaths of all the nonfederal employees who were killed in the bombing. An additional question asked respondents to provide their opinions regarding how many cents out of every dollar collected by the federal government are "wasted." The results of the poll were announced on the ABC television program "Nightline." Background information on respondents includes sex.