Tsarnaev Death Penalty Phase to Continue Monday
By: Samantha Lavien
Twitter: @SLavienABC6
Defense attorney’s for convicted bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will begin their fight to save his life on Monday. Legal analyst Ken Schrieber says a big part of their strategy will likely come down to humanizing the 21-year-old.
“They’ve got to show that somehow this is a human being who doesn’t deserve to have his life taken from him,” said Schreiber.
On Thursday a large group of Tsarnaev’s family arrived in Boston. It’s not clear yet which if any of those relatives will take the stand. But, we do know that the defense’s budget covers the cost of the convicted bombers family traveling to the area to testify in this penalty phase.
Throughout the entire trial the defense has never denied Tsarnaev took part in the 2013 bombings and attacks that followed. But, they have long disputed why he did it, often pointing to the 21-year-old’s older brother Tamerlan as the mastermind.
Schrieber says its highly likely we will hear from friends or family that will emphasize this point.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if someone who has known Tsarnaev for an extended period of time comes out and says that he was manipulated, that he was coerced, that his brother exercised undo influence on him,” said Schreiber.
17 of the 30 counts that Tsarnaev was convicted of carry the possibility of the death penalty. The Government spent three days presenting highly emotional testimony from victims in this phase.
“This is truly a huge uphill battle for the defense,” said Schreiber.
Opening statements for the defense are expected first thing Monday morning.
(C) WLNE 2015
