The judge overseeing the prosecution of Brian G. Nichols sounded skeptical on Tuesday of a request by Nichols’ lawyers that the case be heard by a Fulton County, Ga., jury sitting somewhere other than the Fulton County judicial complex, where Nichols is accused of murdering a judge, a court reporter and a sheriff’s deputy.

“It seems like you’re trying to have your cake and eat it too,” Judge Hilton M. Fuller Jr. told the defense.