Jury Sentences Dzohkzar Tsarnaev to Death for Boston Marathon Bombing

By JASON CLAFFEY (Patch Staff)

Convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was sentenced to death for the 2013 bombings that killed three people and injured 250 more. He also killed a police officer in the ensuing manhunt.

The jury’s decision was unanimous. Jurors deliberated for about 14 hours.

Tsarnaev, 21, and his brother, Tamerlan, planted homemade explosives at the finish line of the marathon on April 15, 2013. The blasts killed Martin Richard, 8, of Dorchester; Lingzi Lu, 23, of Boston; and Krystle Campbell, 29, of Medford. The Tsarnaev brothers also killed MIT police officer Sean Collier, 27, in the ensuing manhunt.

In court, according to observers, Tsarnaev showed no reaction to the verdict. He sat quiet and at one point, scratched his head.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch released this statement after the verdict:

“We know all too well that no verdict can heal the souls of those who lost loved ones, nor the minds and bodies of those who suffered life-changing injuries from this cowardly attack. But the ultimate penalty is a fitting punishment for this horrific crime and we hope that the completion of this prosecution will bring some measure of closure to the victims and their families. We thank the jurors for their service, the people of Boston for their vigilance, resilience and support and the law enforcement community in Boston and throughout the country for their important work.”

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh thanked the jurors and hoped that the verdict provided “a small amount of closure to the survivors, families, and all impacted by the violent and tragic events,” according to a statement.

“We will forever remember and honor those who lost their lives and were affected by those senseless acts of violence on our city,” he said. “Today, more than ever, we know that Boston is a city of hope, strength and resilience, that can overcome any challenge.”

Law enforcement agencies supported the jury’s decision for the death penalty, according to statements.

Col. Timothy P. Alben, the superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, extended thanks and respect to the jurors for the months they put into the case.

“They listened intently to the testimony, carefully evaluated the evidence and were committed to the immense responsibility of thoughtful and intensive deliberation,” he said. “Today, the jury has spoken with a verdict to enact the death penalty. As with the guilty verdict several weeks ago, the collective thoughts of this department remain not with the defendant and the path he chose that resulted in today’s verdict, but for the victims of his actions, their families and this greater community.”

Det. Lt. Michael Lawn of the Watertown Police Department, where the hunt for and surrender of Tsarnaev occurred, said the team was “pleased the jury has made a decision in the sentencing” despite “the complexities of this decision and how difficult it has been for them to reach this final conclusion.”

He added, “The efforts and commitment of the jurors over the past four months are appreciated and we respect the outcome of their decision. The Watertown Police Department would also like to commend the hard work and determination of the prosecution team. We have witnessed first-hand the incredible amount of work, both in and out of the courtroom, they have endured preparing and presenting this case. At this time the Watertown Police Department would also like to remember the victims, survivors and families of those affected by the events of this terrible tragedy. They will forever be in our thoughts and prayers.”

Not everyone though was happy with the penalty phase decision.

Amnesty International offered commentary on Twitter stating: “We condemn the #Boston bombings & mourn lives lost. The #deathpenalty, however, is not justice. #Tsarnaev,” and then attached its official press statement to the post.

Tsarnaev’s lawyers admitted he took part in the bombings but said he should be spared the death penalty because he was under the spell of his brother.

A recent Patch poll found 54 percent of respondents said Tsarnaev deserved the death penalty.

According to The Associated Press, the reporter that first spoke to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s father, Anzor Tsarnaev, reached out to him in Russia this afternoon. He reportedly groaned upon hearing the death penalty decision and hung up the phone.

Tsarnaev will likely be sent to the federal facility in Terre Haute, IN, where terrorist Timothy McVeigh was housed until he was executed.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates as they come in.

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