A woman whose 911 call helped police capture a suspected Atlanta courthouse killer earlier this month has collected $72,500 in reward money. In a ceremony at the state Capitol Thursday, Ashley Smith was given checks totaling $70,000 by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue and various federal and state law enforcement agencies. A $2,500 award from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police had been sent to her earlier.
"My life is a testimony that God can use us even in the midst of tragedy and that miracles do happen," Smith said after accepting the checks.
Police say Smith, 26, was held hostage for several hours by shooting suspect Brian Nichols at her apartment before placing a 911 call that led to his arrest. Smith said she told Nichols about her young daughter and read passages from "The Purpose Driven Life," a Christian book, in hopes of winning her freedom.
Nichols, who remained at large for a day after escaping police custody at Atlanta's Fulton County Courthouse during his rape trial, is expected to be charged in the deaths of a Superior Court judge, court reporter, sheriff's deputy and a U.S. Customs agent.