FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Ten years ago, metro Atlanta residents watched in horror as investigators combed the area for a quadruple-murder suspect.
Brian Gene Nichols was originally in court to be retried on a rape charge; his first trial ended with a hung jury. The incident began when Nichols overpowered Deputy Cynthia Hall inside the courthouse and stole her gun. Nichols beat Hall and a deadly rampage followed.
Nichols used to the gun to fatally shoot Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes and his court reporter Julie Ann Brandau.
When he fled the courthouse, Nichols shot and killed another deputy, Hoyt Teasley.
Nichols spent all day at large. That evening, he shot and killed David Wilhelm at his house in Buckhead. Wilhelm was a federal agent and Nichols took his gun and pickup truck and fled to Duluth. That's where he pushed his way into the apartment of a woman he'd never met named Ashley Smith. Smith talked Nichols into surrendering the following day.
On March 12, 2005, Nichols surrendered to police. He was later convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
INJURED DEPUTY CYNTHIA HALL: 10 YEARS LATER
Today, Cynthia Hall is the first face greeting families in need at the Ronald McDonald House.
"Because just like myself I was injured and I like giving back," she said.
Her volunteer badge comes 10 years after she wore another badge as a deputy.
She was beaten so badly during the Brian Nichols courthouse shooting that responders first thought she had been shot.
Hall doesn't remember any of it after roll call before she walked in that courtroom. She says she's OK now.
"I'm fine. Never give up," she said.
She now volunteers twice a week at Ronald McDonald House and two other days at River's Edge Elementary in the library.
"There's a lot of knowledge in books," Hall said. "If you read then you can learn about new things."
Hall struggles with reading now, everything takes more time. Her two sons – now 23 and 21 – understand.
"I told them to learn all they can learn," she said. "And they have to be patient with people because everybody's not patient."
She recalls a time 10 years ago when she wasn't always patient herself.
"Now I am, she said. "I was always a playful and jolly person and if somebody dared you to do something I would always take the dare."
These days she's replaced daring with gratitude.
"Forgive, forget and move on," Hall said. "I'm just thankful God let me still be here today."
