Defendant may testify during motions hearing in murder case A man facing a murder charge in Leavenworth may testify in court later this week. A defense attorney said Cody J. Nichols probably will testify Thursday during a motions hearing in Leavenworth County District Court. Nichols, 20, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the July 18 shooting death of Sanquan M. Brooks in Leavenworth. Nichols is accused of what is known as felony murder, which is a form of first-degree murder. Felony murder occurs when someone is killed during the commission of a felony that is considered inherently dangerous. Prosecutors argue the shooting occurred during a drug transaction. But Nichols’ attorney, Gregory Robinson, argues his client was the victim of an attempted robbery.