3. Boston bombing trial moves to penalty phase
Cries of justice spread as Tsarnaev guilty on all counts
BOSTON— The real trial is about to begin in the Boston Marathon bombing case. On Wednesday, a federal jury found Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 21, guilty on all 30 charges for his part in the twin blasts near the race finish line two years ago. Three people died, and more than 260 were wounded. Judge George O’Toole said the sentencing hearing will begin early next week.
BOSTON The mother of 8-yearold Martin Richards didn’t have to say anything after a federal jury found Dzhokhar Tsarnaev guilty of killing her son and three other people in the Boston Marathon bombings and aftermath.
Denise Richards’ reaction was clear when she stood up out of respect for the jurors as they left the courtroom. She wiped tears from both eyes.
Cries of justice spread quickly Wednesday when the jury found Tsarnaev, 21, guilty on all 30 counts in the 2013 bombing attack that also injured 260 people.
Bostonians got what they wanted: a clean-sweep, 30-count conviction of the man whose lawyers admitted to his involvement in bombing their marathon on Patriots Day in 2013.
In court and across the city, no one was jubilant.
At South Station, Terry Emerson wore a “We Are Boston Strong” sweatshirt.
“He needed to be found guilty on every count,” said Emerson, a computer programmer. “But people who lost someone aren’t going to get their family members back. You can only get so much satisfaction out of this.”
The verdict came as no surprise. Tsarnaev’s lawyers said he was involved and didn’t challenge the evidence against him. Having expected the conviction, the city took it somewhat in stride.
“Nothing can ever replace the lives that were lost or changed forever, but at least there is some relief in knowing that justice is served and responsibility will be taken,” Heather Abbott, who lost her lower left leg in the bombing, posted on her Facebook page.
Tsarnaev’s mother, Zubeidat, who lives in Russia, sent a note to a family friend declaring that Americans are the terrorists, Vocativ.com reported.
As the verdict was read, Tsarnaev, an ethnic Chechen who immigrated from Russia with his parents and brother a decade before the attack, showed no emotion, only crossing his arms and fidgeting. Frustration with his seeming swagger entering the courtroom each day and his disengaged demeanor came to the surface once the verdict was in.
“Arrogant” is how Karen Brassard of Nashua, N.H., described the apparent attitude of Tsarnaev, whose bombs caused serious lower-body injuries to her, her husband and daughter. Had he shown remorse, “I wouldn’t have bought it,” she said, because he’s been so “disinterested” all along.
“Closure? I don’t think so because it will forever be part of our lives,” she said. “But we’re all going to move on with our lives and get to some sense of normalcy, hopefully, when this is all done.”
Boston transit officer Dic Donohue, who was shot during the manhunt, thanked supporters in a series of tweets.
“Although we cannot change the past ... justice has been served today,” he wrote. “We have again shown, as a society, that terrorism will not prevail, and we will hold those accountable for their acts against our nation.”
“People who lost someone aren’t going to get their family members back. You can only get so much satisfaction out of this.” Terry Emerson, Boston resident