Defense lawyers for convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will begin statements on Monday in the death penalty phase of the trial and ask that the jury spare their client's life.
Reuters noted that while not much is known about the defense’s strategy in the final phase, several media outlets pointed out that some of the 21-year-old’s family arrived in Boston on Thursday. However, it is not clear if they will be called to the stand or if Tsarnaev himself will speak in his own defense.
Earlier this month, he was convicted of all 30 counts against him for the Boston Marathon bombing two years ago, which killed three people and injured more than 260 others.
As previously reported, the state wrapped up its case last week and left the jurors with images and powerful testimony about the death of the youngest bombing victim, 8-year-old Martin Richard. That testimony included witness Steve Woolfenden speaking about Ricard’s mother screaming as her son lay dying on the sidewalk.
If Tsarnaev is not sentenced to death, he will spend the rest of his natural life in prison.
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