Boston Bombing Suspect’s Prison Conditions ‘Unlawful And Unwarranted’, Lawyers Claim
Boston bombing suspect Dzokhar Tsarnaev is being unfairly treated by government officials, his lawyers claim.
The suspect’s attorneys say that the restrictive prison conditions the government is implementing on Tsaranev violates his rights.
Tsarnaev, 19, is accused with his older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev of planting two pressure cooker bombs during the 2013 Boston Marathon, killing 3 and injuring 360. Tamerlan was killed in a shootout in Watertwon suburb in Boston shortly after they were named suspects by the FBI.
LA Times reports that prosecutors are pushing for plans to continue strict prison conditions for Tsarnaev.
These conditions, called special administrative measures, give permission to government officials to be present during Tsarnaev’s social visits. These conditions would also put a limit on Tsarnaev’s freedom of communication.
The measures would also allow government control over the defense counsel’s rights to share information with others.
Lawyers for the Boston bombing suspect say that these conditions are “unlawful and unwarranted”. They add that these conditions would greatly decrease their ability to provide legal counsel to Tsarnaev.
However, prosecutors argue that these measures are appropriate for suspects implicated in terrorist attacks.
The effects of these conditions were observed during Tsarnaev’s recent social visit with his sister.
An FBI agent and an investigator for the defense team were both present during the social visit. Tsarnaev and his sister were briefed by the investigator of the rules of the special administrative measures.
During the visit, Tsarnaev was reported to have made a “statement to his detriment” in the presence of an FBI agent.
Prosecutors claim this allegedly self-damaging remarks drove the defense to file for a motion to repeal the strict prison conditions but the Boston bombing suspect’s defense team claims that their opposition to the conditions have nothing to do with Tsarnaev’s statements.
The particular statement hasn’t been revealed by both the FBI and Boston bomber’s legal counsel.
Washington Times report that lawyers for the Boston bombing accused are also appealing for the dismissal of some of the charges, claiming that some of the charges are repetitive and might affect the decision of the jury.
Prosecutors, who accuse Tsarnaev of using weapons for mass destruction, hope to land a death penalty decision for the Boston bombing suspect.
The Inquisitr reported May 2013 that Boston bombing suspects Dzokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev planned to attack Boston on Independence Day but changed their schedule when plans of the attack were concluded earlier than expected. The Boston bombing was then diverted to the city’s annual marathon, April 15.
