Thursday, June 25, 2015

Sentencing the Boston Bomber

Sentencing Dzhokar Tsarnaev  to Death

While the verdict was known for nearly a month, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was sentenced to death for his role in the Boston Bombing and killing law enforcement officers while on the lam. 

Tsarnaev said nothing throughout the guilt phase and maintained a stoic demeanor throughout the trial.  Hence it was shocking that Tsarnaev chose to speak as the final sentencing was handed down. Tsarnaev asserted his Muslim faith several times during his soft spoken five minute statement. Tsarnaev mouthed the words: “I am sorry for the lives I have taken and suffering I have caused you and the damage I have done.”

Most Boston Bombing victims speaking afterwards however  did not believe this mea culpa which lacked emotion and was uttered at the last minute.   Two of the factors which influenced the capital sentence was a lack of emotion and remorse. Some legal experts opined that Tsarnaev's defense team may have encouraged the convicted death penalty inmate to say things which may help the legal team during the lengthy appeals process.

District Court Judge George O'Toole, Jr. did not seem moved by Boston Bomber's statement.  The judge declared: "Whenever your name is mentioned, what will be remembered is the evil you have done...What will be remembered is that you murdered and maimed.".

Quite.

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