Tsarnaev verdict leads to high emotion, sentencing phase

By Joshua Powers 4-8-2015

With a guilty verdict on all thirty counts for Boston Marathon Bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the trial will now move forward to sentencing hearings.

Following the guilty verdict on all thirty counts for Boston Marathon Bomber Dzokha Tsarnaev sentencing becomes the focus.

The judge did not announce when the sentencing phase would begin, but stated that it could begin as early as next Monday. Of the thirty counts that Tsarnaev was convicted on, seventeen carry the death penalty.

While it is clear that Tsarnaev will spend the rest of his life in prison, convincing all members of the jury to hand down the death penalty may be another issue.

Emotion was rampant on both spectrums in court today when the verdict was being read. Standing in the courtroom. Tsarnaev was emotionless as his fate was read, only taking time to play with his collar when he was seated after all counts were laid out.

For those who were affected by the bombings, today’s decision brought not only some closure, but some emotion as well. Jeff Bauman released the following statement online after watching the decision.

“Today’s verdict will never replace the lives that were lost and so dramatically changed, but it is a relief, and one step closer to closure.

Dick Donohue, an MBTA police officer, was shot during the Watertown shootout with the suspects. He released a statement over twitter, coming in multiple parts.

“Accused —> Convicted. Across the board.”

“First, I want to thank everyone for supporting me and my family over the last two years. Although we cannot change the past, including the loss of a friend and fellow police officer, justice has been served today. We have again shown, as a society, that terrorism will not prevail, and we will hold those accountable for their acts against our nation. God Bless America”

The day ended with those who were directly connected standing at a podium at the courthouse. Many of them stated that they will be returning to the courthouse for the sentencing.