EXCLUSIVE: Ashley Smith Speaks to FOX 5 News

ATLANTA - Ashley Smith beams and enjoys looking forward these days, but every now and again, when asked, she delves into her past.

March 12, 2005 was a very dark day for Smith. That's when she found herself face to face with a killer, Brian Nicols, the now infamous Fulton County Courthouse shooter.

The day before, Nichols escaped while being transported to court. He beat up a deputy, stole another's, gun, and shot to death a judge, a court reporter, and a sheriff's deputy.

While on the run, he shot and killed a customs agent and then in the wee hours of the morning, h happened upon Ashley Smith at her Duluth apartment.

The hours spent in that apartment may have changed both lives forever. They talked about family and religion. Finally, after Smith read aloud from the Bible and a book called "A Purpose Driven Life", came some trust.

Eventually, Nichols let Ashley go and her call to police led to his arrest, a conviction, life in prison and now a movie called "Captive".

After several stalled attempts, what has finally made its way to the big screen has left this mother, wife, x-ray technician, reformed drug addict, and in her words, redeemed child of God, in absolute AWE.

FOX 5's Lisa Rayam sat down with Ashley Smith. Click on the video to hear more in her own words.