"Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has not been seen in public since he was arraigned on 30 federal charges in July 2013, when he still bore signs of the bloody standoff with police that led to his capture and the death of his older brother, Tamerlan," USA Today reported.
The Boston Marathon bombing case of April 2013 resulted in the deaths of three people, while more than 260 were seriously wounded. The suspect, who allegedly conspired the terror plot with his older brother Tamerlan, is also facing charges for the murder of a security officer killed during the manhunt. If convicted of the crimes, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev may face the death penalty.
"Tsarnaev, 21, gave a small, seemingly nervous, smile to his lawyers upon entering the courtroom. He had a scruffy beard and a mopped head of wavy, uncombed hair. He wore a black sweater and open-necked collared shirt," USA Today narrates.
"Yes, Your Honor" and "They are" were reportedly his only responses.
The Associated Press notes that when the suspect entered the courtroom, the mother-in-law of Ibragim Todashev, shouted addressing Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in Russian: "We prayed for you. Be strong, my son. We know you are innocent." Ibragim Todashev, a friend of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was shot dead by the FBI officers during the police interview in May 2013.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's lawyers are seeking relocation of the trial claiming that "great local prejudice will prevent a fair trial by an impartial jury," the Christian Science Monitor emphasizes, adding that "unless the change of venue request is granted, jury selection is set to begin January 5 at the US District Court in South Boston."
"If we don't want military tribunals, if we don't want Guantanamo Bay, we have to demonstrate in Boston – or wherever it's moved – that this criminal justice system can give this most unpopular man a very fair trial," claimed Martin Weinberg, a prominent Boston defense lawyer, as cited by the media outlet.
It is worth mentioning that earlier this year three friends of Tsarnaev, Azamat Tazhayakov, Dias Kadyrbayev and Robel Phillipos, were accused of removing important evidence linked to the bombing case and lying to federal agents.
Two blasts that rocked the Boston marathon on April 15, 2013 claimed three lives and injured more than 200. Dzhkokhar and his older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev were suspected in perpetrating the terrorist act. Tamerlan died from injuries sustained in a shootout with police on April 19, and Dzhokhar was arrested the day after.
