Boston Marathon Bombing Survivors Questioned about Death Penalty

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On Thursday, prosecutors announced they will seek the death penalty against Boston Marathon bombing suspect, 19 year-old, Dzhokhar Tsarmaev.

According to CNN prosecutors say he acted in “an especially heinous, cruel and depraved manner” and lacks remorse. When the case go to trial, jurors will have to decide whether or not he’s guilty and have to decide on the death penalty.

  

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“The nature of the conduct at issue and the resultant harm compel this decision,” U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement released by the Justice Department Thursday announcing that prosecutors would pursue the death penalty in the case.

Authorities are alleging Tsarnaev and his brother Tamerlan put two homemade bombs near the finish line at the Boston Marathon, then three days later, killed a police officer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A massive manhunt resulted in a shoot-out, where Tsarnaev’s brother was killed and Tsarnaev was captured.

Prosecutors filed a notice listing factors arguing a justified death sentence in the case saying, the attack killed multiple people, involved substantial planning and premeditation and involved betrayal of the United States.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been charged with 30 federal counts. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. According to Jeffrey Toobin, CNN senior legal analyst. Holder’s decision announced on Thursday is no surprise. “This is a case that, if you believe in the death penalty, cries out death penalty, even though the defendant is only 19 years old, and potentially the junior partner to his late brother.

“Boston was obviously deeply traumatized by this incident. And the jury pool is Boston, if the case remains where it is. But Boston is also probably the most liberal city in the country. Death penalty opposition there is higher than anywhere else,” Toobin said. “So does the defense go somewhere else, where people don’t have the immediate association with the crime? Or do they go somewhere that might not oppose the death penalty in the same numbers?”

In a statement, Gov. Deval Patrick said “One way or another, based on the evidence, Tsarnaev will die in prison. In each milestone of the case- today’s announcement, the trial and every other significant step in the justice process–the people that were hurt by the Marathon bombings and the rest of us so shocked by it will relive that tragedy,” he said. “The best we can do is remind each other that we are a stronger Commonwealth than ever, and that nothing can break that spirit.” For employment in that commonwealth, click here.

Image Credit:  CNN