Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that they will seek the death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing.
Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty, but the decision to seek the death penalty is not surprising. “The nature of the conduct at issue and the resultant harm compel this decision,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.
The bombings occurred at the marathon finish line in April 2013, killing three people and wounding more than 260. Dzhokhar’s brother and alleged accomplice Tamerlan died during a police shootout following the search for suspects.
The brothers were Chechens from Russia who were living in the Boston area. Prosecutors allege that the two planted the bombs as retaliation against U.S. military action against Muslims.
A trial date has not been set yet.
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