Boston Marathon Bomber Trial Update: Convicted Terrorist Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Sheds Tears in Death Penalty Case
Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev became overwhelmed with emotion while his aunt testified on his behalf in his death penalty trial on Monday.
Last month, the 21-year-old convicted terrorist was found guilty of 30 charges for his role in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, including conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and bombing a public place. The charges also covered a carjacking that took place in the aftermath of the attack, the deadly shooting of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer, and a gunfight in Watertown, Massachusetts, in which Tsarnaev and his now-deceased brother tossed explosives at police.
According to the defense team, Tsarnaev participated in the attack that killed three people and injured more than 260 others on April 15, 2013 because he was being influenced by his older brother, Tamerlan. The defense has also portrayed Tsarnaev as a normal and impressionable teenager who was a pawn in his brother's scheme. As a result, they say that Tsarneav should face life in prison, not execution.
Although Tsarnaev has maintained an impassive demeanor throughout his trial, for the first time he appeared visibly upset on Sunday, and cried while his sobbing aunt briefly took the stand.
According to The Associated Press, he wiped tears away his tears as his mother's sister sobbed uncontrollably on the stand, about 10 feet away from him. He also reached for the box of tissues on the defense table.
His aunt, Patimat Suleimanova, cried and hyperventilated and was unable to testify.
Judge George O'Toole Jr. then told the defense to call a different witness so she could compose herself. As she left the witness stand, Tsarnaev used a tissue to wipe his eyes and nose.
After another tearful aunt deliver her testimony, he blew her a kiss, reports The Boston Globe.
In addition, one of Suleimanova's daughters testified that Tsarnaev was a sensitive child who wept while watching Disney's "The Lion King."
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