Delay Request Denied: Trial Begins For Boston Bombing Suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
The trial of Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is set to begin Monday with the complex process of jury selection.
The case moves forward as Tsarnaev’s defense attorneys’ request to get the case moved out of the Boston area was denied by a federal court judge.
U.S. District Court Judge George O’Toole had previously denied a request for a change of venue, and an appeal to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was reportedly filed within hours of this outcome.
Dzhokhar’s attorneys then requested that O’Toole at least hold off on selecting jurors until the results of the appeal were determined.
There was no success in this regard, either as the jury selection process is set to begin on Monday.
Judge denies motions to delay Boston bombing trial; jury selection begins Monday http://t.co/UKjimKa1XI
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) January 1, 2015
Selecting a jury for the Dzhokhar Tsarnaev case is expected to continue for several weeks. The lengthiness of the process is blamed on the far-reaching impact of the bombing.
Thousands of people were affected, not only by the horrific incident itself. Bostonians also contended with the terrifying shutdown of the city as law enforcement officials pursued and eventually captured Tsarnaev.
The selection process for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s trial could become even more drawn out should potential jurors express strong opinions about the death penalty.
Dzhokhar pleaded not guilty to 30 charges related to the Boston Marathon Bombing that occurred on April 15, 2013. Three people were killed and hundreds of others injured.
The ensuing manhunt also resulted in the death of MIT police officer Sean Collier.
As such, the offenses are so serious that there is a strong likelihood that the outcome of a guilty verdict against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will lead to a move for execution.
Judge strikes ‘betrayal of the United States’ as death penalty factor for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev http://t.co/rHDQlY0RNB via @BostonGlobe
— Boston Globe News (@GlobeMetro) June 18, 2014
Tsarnaev’s trial will be held at Joseph Moakley Courthouse in Boston. Even so, O’Toole has reportedly issued a decorum order.
This means that the many spectators expected to fill the courtroom are prohibited from wearing clothing, accessories, or bringing into court any items “that carry any message or symbol addressing the issues related to this case that may be or become visible to the jury.”
Law enforcement uniforms and badges are also banned; the exception is, of course, on-duty U.S. marshals or court security officers.
Even with these steps taken to create as “fair” an environment as possible, there is some concern that keeping the trial in Boston could lead to a successful appeal should Dzhokhar Tsarnaev be convicted.
Should Dzhokhar Tsarnaev have had his case delayed and trial moved or is the outcome likely to be similar regardless of where this trial is held?
[Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons]
