Christian Convicted of Rape & Multiple Homicide

Brian Nichols opened doors to demons attaching themselves to his spirit by drinking a six pack of beer a day, by smoking pot and by spending thousands of dollars for sex with Asian prostitutes at Atlanta massage parlors, the convicted murderer’s former pastor testified on Thursday.

And those very demons, said Donnie Moore, the pastor at Nichols’ former church — Word of God Christian Center in Gwinnett County — ultimately pushed Nichols into the jealous rage that compelled him to rape a former girlfriend in August 2004 and stoked the rage that drove him to murder four people on March 11, 2005.

But Nichols’ life is still worth saving, said Moore, as he testified in the sentencing phase of the 12-week-long murder trial, where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty and Nichols’ defense team is asking the jury that convicted him on Nov. 7 to instead sentence him to life in prison.

Moore compared Nichols to the Apostle Paul, who became a changed man and devoted his life to Christ after years of persecuting Christians. Moore said there is “concrete” evidence that Nichols can change his life.

“As long as he [can] hear the words that would touch his soul…. to be all that he can be in Christ, I think there’s value there” in saving Nichols’ life, said Moore. The pastor testified that he talked to Nichols Wednesday night about restoring his once-strong Christian faith.

Moore said that Nichols once was a faithful member of his church — he even played the part of a reporter in a church play about the crucifixion of Christ. But Moore had no idea that, during that same period, Nichols was leading a double life of beer, drugs, and hookers.