© 2024
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Opening Statements To Be Delivered Today In Boston Marathon Bombing Trial

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev'
FBI

Two dramatically different portraits of Boston Marathon Bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev are expected to emerge when prosecutors and Tsarnaev's lawyers give their opening statements at his federal death penalty trial.

Tsarnaev's lawyers Wednesday will try to show that he looked up to his older brother, Tamerlan, and was heavily influenced by him. They plan to portray Tamerlan as the mastermind of the deadly attack.

But prosecutors say Dzhokhar was an equal participant who acted of his own free will. He faces 30 charges in the bombings and the fatal shooting of an MIT police officer days later.

Three people were killed and more than 260 were hurt when twin bombs exploded near the marathon's finish line seconds apart on April 15, 2013.

©2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Related Content