Boston Bomber Found Guilty; Sentencing to Follow

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Category: Crime

Published on Friday, 10 April 2015 08:11

Written by Janet Walker

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon Bomber, was found guilty of homegrown terrorism and other crimes after a month long trial where the theory of mental coercion by the defendant’s brother was introduced. His guilty verdict deems him death penalty eligible.

Tsarnaev, was apprehended, wounded, hiding in a hull, identified by thermal imaging, of a parked boat after a weeklong manhunt that left his brother, and accomplice, dead in a shootout.

The two planted pressure cooker bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon April 2013 that killed four and wounded 280, many of whom lost limbs. Those survivors testified over the month long trial, recounting for the prosecution the devastating effects of Tsaraev’s actions.

The jury deliberated for two days ago with the strict instructions from Judge George O’Toole they were to determine only the guilt or innocence of the defendant. The sentencing phase would come later.

The prosecution lead by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Weinreb, presented over the course of one month, presented 90 witnesses. The defense, led by public defender Judy Clarke presented a total of four witnesses and rested its case.

Emigrating from Chechnya in 2002, Tsarnaev and his family settled in Boston, surrounded by east coast Ivy League and old money. The American dream that brought them to the United States never materialized. The pair were involved in criminal activities and were known to local authorities.

This is a continuing story