Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, a U.S. citizen of Chechen descent, was convicted by an American court of a terrorist act in 2013 in Boston (Massachusetts) and sentenced to death. The investigation suspects complicity in the crime of his older brother Tamerlan, who was killed while trying to arrest.
Explosions in Boston
The terrorist act took place at one of the most famous marathon races in the world. Two homemade bombs were located near the finish line. During the final stage of the sporting event, a lot of spectators and journalists gathered in this place. Explosive devices detonated with an interval of several seconds. The total number of victims was 280 people. In some wounded limbs were torn off. Three, including an 8-year-old child, died. According to information received from doctors and investigative authorities, the bombs were stuffed with nails and metal balls. The police urgently evacuated spectators and participants in the race from the scene of the tragic event. All state institutions were closed in the city, residents were advised not to leave their homes.
Developments after the explosions
Law enforcement agencies received from witnesses a description of the appearance of the suspects, as well as their images from CCTV cameras. The identities of the alleged perpetrators have been identified. Three days after the terrorist attack in Watertown, two more incidents occurred in which Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and his elder brother participated. They shot a 27-year-old police officer, then stole a car, taking his owner hostage. According to the victim, the brothers told him that they were the organizers of the explosions.
Arrest
Police officers identified the Tsarnaevs on one of the streets of Watertown. A shootout ensued in which two officers were seriously injured. According to eyewitnesses, the brothers carried a whole arsenal of weapons, including hand grenades. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was wounded, but managed to escape. Leaving the scene of the shootout, he moved with his older brother's car. A few hours later, Tamerlan Tsarnaev died in hospital from his injuries.
A large-scale raid was organized, in which thousands of police officers took part. One resident of the city reported that a wounded suspect had hidden in the backyard of his house. Representatives of the law arrested Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. At the time of detention, no weapons were found with him.
Trial
At the first public hearing, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev did not agree to plead guilty. His sanity and ability to bear responsibility for his actions was proved. Lawyers tried to convince the jury and the judge that Johar was a victim of manipulation by Tamerlane. Representatives of the prosecution claimed that the reason for his actions was extremist views.
The court concluded that Tsarnaev was involved in planting bombs and was present at the murder of a police officer in the city of Watertown. He was convicted on all counts put forward by the prosecutor during the hearing. The judge decided that capital punishment should be imposed for crimes committed by Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The death penalty, in accordance with American law, is carried out by the method of lethal injection.
Motivation
According to FBI investigators, the Tsarnaevs acted on the basis of extremist convictions, but were not associated with any well-known terrorist group. They learned bomb technology from online sources. According to Johar, their actions were motivated by a desire to avenge the United States for conducting military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Features of the US Judicial System
Currently, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in a maximum security prison expects his future fate. Due to the specifics of American law, the prospects for enforcing a sentence remain uncertain. In Massachusetts, where the terrorist act occurred, the death penalty has been abolished since 1984. The verdict to Tsarnaev was imposed at the federal level. This gives lawyers ample opportunity to appeal. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev counts on it. The execution will take place in many years if the legal procedures drag out. It is possible that he will be able to completely avoid the execution of the death sentence.