30 years later: Vicki Behenna recalls landmark case against Oklahoma City bomber

The Oklahoma County District Attorney helped bring justice for the 168 victims and families of the Oklahoma City federal building bombing. Vicki Behenna served as a federal prosecutor during Timothy McVeigh's trial nearly three decades ago.

Memories of the Trial and Aftermath

Behenna said she recalls only bits and pieces from McVeigh's trial, but what she clearly remembers was how everyone pulled together in the moments and days after the bombing.

“The bombing occurs on Wednesday,” said Vicki Behenna, Oklahoma County District Attorney. “By Friday morning, we had the name Timothy McVeigh and we had the evidence that linked him to the bombing.”

A Historic Investigation

Thirty years ago, before modern technology was a part of everyday life and criminal investigations, it was feet on the ground involving federal, state, and local authorities.

“I’ve never seen an investigation come together the way this one did,” said Behenna. 

The Evidence That Cracked the Case

The piece of evidence that broke the case was the discovery of a truck axle with a VIN number. Pieces of the Ryder truck that exploded in front of the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. Behenna said that from there, the evidence all fell into place.

“We had evidence that linked him to the rental of the Ryder truck,” said Behenna. “We had then a calling card that was used to make the association between Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols and Michael Fortier.”

Behenna still has some of the evidence presented in McVeigh's 1997 trial.

“That’s the registration from the Dreamland Motel,” said Behenna. “He signed his name Tim McVeigh.” 

Confidence in the Verdict

Behenna said she knew there would be justice for the 168 bombing victims.

“Because of the absolute devastation and cruelty of the location that he picked and the time of day,” said Behenna. “I really didn’t question that a jury was going to go ahead and agree on the death penalty.”

A Team Effort in Denver

Behenna and the large prosecution team spent nearly two years in Denver, where the trial and sentencing were held. McVeigh was arrested 78 minutes after the bombing in Perry, Oklahoma, 76 miles from downtown Oklahoma City.