Colorado Springs, Colo. – A jury today resumed deliberations in the case of a father charged with killing his children in a fire.
Timothy Nicholls, 36, is accused of first-degree murder, arson, child abuse and other charges in the March 7, 2003 blaze at the northeast Colorado Springs home of Nicholls and his wife, Deborah.
The fire killed the couple’s two children, Sierra, 3, and Sophia, 5, Deborah’s son, Jay, 11.
After investigating for more than three months, a grand jury indicted Nicholls on 18 counts in July 2005. His estranged wife, Deborah Lee Nicholls, was not charged in the children’s deaths, but faces felony theft and witness-intimidation counts.
Prosecutors alleged Nicholls set the fire to collect on a $250,000 insurance policy, and said the family was deeply in debt.
But the defense said the accidental fire was caused by a candle.
Jurors received the case Tuesday morning.
