James Nichols (convicted murderer)

Infobox Criminal
subject_name = James Allen Nichols


image_size = 175px
image_caption =
date_of_birth = birth date|1978|5|27
place_of_birth =
date_of_death =
place_of_death =
alias =
conviction = Second-degree intentional homicide
Hiding a corpse
Felon in possession of a firearm
penalty = 69 years
status = Incarcerated
occupation = Logger
spouse =
parents =
children =

James Nichols is a felon convicted of murdering Cha Vang, a Hmong hunter who was found shot and stabbed, his corpse hidden, in the woods near Peshtigo, Wisconsin. Nichols has admitted to killing Vang, but insists the killing was self-defense.fact|date=May 2008 On March 19, 2007, Nichols pleaded "Not Guilty" to the charge of first degree intentional homicide, felony possession of a weapon, and hiding a corpse. Nichols was convicted of second degree intentional homicide on October 6, 2007 and faces up to 69 years in prison. [ [http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/06/hunter.homicide.ap/index.html] , Retrieved October 6 2007] [ [http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/11887821.html James Nichols Sentenced to 69 Years] on 620 AM WTMJ]

Evidence and motivation

Dr. Mark Witeck, who performed the autopsy on Cha Vang, testified that Vang was shot from about 50 feet away by a shotgun, and stabbed six times in his face and neck.

Attention to possible racial motives has been brought due to some of Nichol's own statements. Nichols has been quoted on record saying "Hmong group are bad". Nichols' employer has testified that two months before the killing, Nichols mentioned that he would have killed a Hmong hunter that he had seen in the woods if he had been carrying a shotgun rather than an air-rifle.

Effects of the killing

Reports of racial tension in the forests of Wisconsin during hunting seasons have been heard ever since Chai Soua Vang (no relation), a Hmong hunter, was convicted of killing six Caucasian hunters two years before Cha Vang's murder. Besides the immediate effects felt by family and friends at the death of Cha Vang, the killing has stressed the already-tense relations between the Hmong community and predominantly Caucasian hunters in Wisconsin state.

References

* cite court
litigants=State of Wisconsin v. James Allen Nichols
court=Marinette District Court, Wisconsin
date=2007
* cite news
title = Man Pleads Not Guilty In Hunter's Death
publisher = WCCO News
date = 2007-03-19
url = http://wcco.com/crime/local_story_078153304.html
accessdate = 2007-07-05
* cite news
last = Nelesen
first = Andy
title = Ruling: Jury can hear Nichols' comments about different Hmong hunter
publisher = Green Bay Press Gazette
date = 2007-06-21
url = http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070621/GPG0101/70621064/1207&located=RSS
accessdate = 2007-07-05
* cite news
last = Mayhoua
first = Moua
title = Murder of Cha Vang reinforces need for dialogue on race relations
publisher = Asian American Press
date = 2007-2
url = http://www.aapress.com/opednews.php?subaction=showfull&id=1170364235&archive=&start_from=&ucat=7&
accessdate = 2007-07-05