Tsarnaev jury to begin deliberations today

The fate of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev now rests in the hands of the jury.

Judge O’Toole finished instructing jurors late Monday afternoon. They are expected to begin deliberating Tuesday.

A video playing a jihadist chant with pictures depicting Tsarnaev as an extremist and horrific photos of those injured in the twin blasts were used to end the government’s closing arguments against the 21 year old.

Assistant US Attorney Aloke Chakravarty told the jury, “There was nothing about this day that was a twist of fate. This was a cold, calculated terrorist act. This was intentional, blood thirsty.”

The Government’s closing remarks emphasized the gruesome injuries suffered at the hands of the marathon bombings and attacks in the days that followed. Chakravarty reminding the jury about the 17 maimed, hundreds wounded and 4 that were killed.

Throughout his remarks he repeatedly told jurors that these attacks were planned and acted on by both brothers who worked together as partners.

Defense Attorney Judy Clarke focusing her remarks on the influence that Tamerlan Tsarnaev had over his brother.

She told the jury that, “We don’t deny the Dzhokhar fully participated…. but if not for Tamerlan it would not have happened.

Clarke told jurors they are not disputing Tsarnaev’s role in the attacks, but rather why he did what he did.

Tsarnaev is facing 30 federal charges, 17 of which carry the death penalty. If found guilty of any of those 17 charges, the trial will move on the sentencing face where jurors could choose to put Tsarnaev to death.

 (C) WLNE 2015