Current Events

Boston Bomber Trial

By: Corrinne Scieszka

Overview

• On April 15, 2015, brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev set off bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathan
• The oldest brother, Tamerlan, was killed in a police shoot out
• The youngest brother, Dzhokhar, is now facing trial for his crimes
• He has already been found guilty on all thirty counts of the bombing- video evidence was fairly undeniable
• In the explosions, three people were killed and 260 were injured
• The jury that found him guilty must now decide whether or not he should receive the death penalty
• Decision must be unanimous

Victims Opposing the Death Penalty

General Points in Favor of Capital Punishment

Controversy

• Proponents argue that executing Tsarnaev will send a message to terrorists and that it will show that America will not tolerate such crimes
• Given the extensive damage caused by Tsarnaev, it is argued the death penalty is necessary to achieve justice for those who were victimized by the bombings

• The parents of Martin Richard, the eight year killed in the explosions, have spoken out against the death penalty- they believe that he should receive life in prison without parole
• They said pursuing the death penalty "could bring yeas of appeals and prolong reliving the most painful day of our lives"
• Newlywed couple, Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes both lost a leg in the attack. They too have spoken out against enacting the death penalty

• There has been a widely divided opinion on whether or not Tsarnaev should be executed
• Massachusetts, where the bombings took place, has long been known for opposing the death penalty
• Victims affected by the bombings have spoken out both for and against the death penalty
• Many have been outraged by the extent of the damage caused by the bombings and wish to seek justice against Tsarnaev
• Others believe that death is too good for Tsarnaev and that life without the possibility of parole is a more suitable punishment

General Points Opposing the Death Penalty

Case of the Prosecution

Prosecution's Case Cont.

• Recently, video has been released of Tsarnaev giving the middle finger to the camera in his holding cell
• Prosecutors have used this to argue that Tsarnaev is not sorry for what he did and that he shows no remorse for his actions

• In their opening statements, the prosecution called many witnesses to the stand who suffered injuries from the bombings
• In particular, they showed a video of a mother crouched over her son who lay dying on the sidewalk. Martin Richards was an eight year old boy who was killed in the explosions
• They have also called upon testimonies from amputees, such as Heather Abbott, who lost her left leg
• Marc Fucarile testified from a wheelchair after his right leg was blown off in an explosion. He has undergone multiple surgeries to save his left leg but it is unclear whether it can be saved
• Overall, the prosecution is appealing to the emotion of the jurors and is focusing its attention of the damage done by the bombings

• Those who are against the death penalty argue that convicting Tsarnaev will result in a long, drawn out trial and multiple appeals. This will draw more attention over a longer period of time to the acts of Tsarnaev, which is exactly what terrorists would want
• The drawn out trial will also bring more pain to the victims of the bombings and will prevent them from moving on
• Also, many argue that death is too good for Tsarnaev. Many terrorists are accustomed to dying for their cause, so capital punishment might even serve as an incentive
• It is argued that life in prison without parole is not a light punishment and might even be worse than execution

Case of the Defense

Victims Who Support The Death Penalty

Works Cited

"Prosecution rests in penalty phase Boston bomber trial." Fox News 23 Apr. 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.

• Kevin Corcoran- wife lost both legs daughter nearly bled to death. He has spoken out in favor of the death penalty for Tsarnaev
• Liz Norden- two sons each lost a leg. She has stated that capital punishment is warranted given the gravity of Tsarnaev's crimes

Valencia, Milton J., and Patricia Wen. "With Tsarnaev penalty phase set, outcome uncertain." The Boston Globe 20 Apr. 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2015

• Defendants are arguing that Tsarnaev was not the mastermind behind this plan. They claim that he was following his older brother, Tamerlan
• They argue that he should only receive life in prison
• Defense has yet to give their full case- rumors have surfaced that they will call members of Tsarnaev's family to the stand
• In doing this, the defense will try help the jury see Tsarnaev as a person with a toubled past
• They argue that he should only receive life in prison, rather than be executed
• They have acknowledged that he was involved in the bombings