An emotionless Dzhokhar Tsarnaev quietly sat in a Boston courtroom as 30 guilty verdicts related to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing that left three dead and hundreds injured were read.
Tsarnaev, who along with his brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev were accused of planting a bomb at the marathon's finish line two years ago, looked down at folded hands throughout the final phase of the trial. Similarly, all but one juror kept their eyes locked on the judge and clerk. Tsarnaev and the juror never made eye contact.
halfway thru reading of counts #Tsarnaev is fidgeting, rubbing his chin, scratching the back of his head, stilll not looking at the jury
— Alexandra Field (@AFieldCNN) April 8, 2015
Seventeen of the 30 charges are considered capital crimes, meaning the 21-year-old is eligible for the death penalty. Survivors and victims' families somberly packed the courtroom, wiping away tears as each guilty verdict was read aloud.
Jurors were unanimous on each charge.
"Nothing can ever replace the lives that were lost or change forever, but at least there is some relief in knowing that justice is served and responsibility will be taken," one of the victims, Heather Abbott, posted to her Facebook page.
Federal prosecutors called 96 witnesses - 92 for the prosecution and four for the defense - since the trial began on March 4. The defense asked jurors to "keep their minds open" while focusing their efforts on sparing Tsarnaev's life rather than fighting for his innocence. Prosecutors countered with graphic videos of the dead and dying along Boston's Boylston Street.
On April 15, 2013 the Tsarnaev brothers carried out a bombing that is considered the worst terror attack on United States soil since 9/11. They killed MIT police officer Sean Collier during the three-day manhunt that followed; charges that are included in Tsarnaev's guilty verdict. Tamerlan died during an ensuing shootout with police.
"I am thankful that this phase of the trail has come to an end and am hopeful for a swift sentencing process," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said in a statement. "I hope today's verdict provides a small amount of closure for survivors, families, and all impacted by the violent and tragic events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon. The incidents of those days have forever left a mark on our city."
The verdict's arrive a week before the bombing's second anniversary, a coincidence that looms over Boston Marathon planners working on the April 20 event.
The jury - seven woman and five men - deliberated for 11 hours over two days before reaching a decision. They will reconvene April 13 to decide on a proper sentence.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
