Updated 06:40 AM EDT, Fri, Mar 29, 2024

A 'Heartless Killer'? Boston Marathon Bombings Suspect Found Guilty

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After almost two years when two bombs rocked the 2013 Boston Marathon, a jury gave a guilty verdict to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on all 30 charges for his role in the attacks which ended the lives of three and injured about 300 people.

Sitting in a courtroom filled with victims and survivors, the 21-year-old Tsarnaev reportedly did not show any "visible reaction" on his verdict, Yahoo Sports said.

The same report noted that the jury's decision came a day and a half after they began deliberations on the case.

Prosecutors reportedly "painted" the suspect's picture as a "heartless killer" who worked with his older brother Tamerlan to kill Americans as revenge for the country's war on terror overseas.

"This was a cold, calculated terrorist act. This was intentional. It was bloodthirsty. It was to make a point. It was to tell America that 'We will not be terrorized by you anymore. We will terrorize you," said government prosecutor Aloke Chakravarty.

Aside from the charges he faced for the role in the bombings, Tsarnaev was also charged with shooting and killing police officer Sean Collier days after the attacks, Yahoo Sports added.

A similar BBC report said that the jury will now decide on what sentence to give Tsarnaev who was still found guilty of the fatal attacks despite defense lawyers arguing that he had a role but his older brother was the "driving force" of it.

After their victory, CNN said that federal prosecutors will now focus on the penalty phase. "We are gratified by the jury's verdict and thank everyone who played a role in the trial for their hard work," said U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Carmen Ortiz.

It is expected that in the next phase of the trial, the jury will hear the types of evidence which will prove that the crimes committed by the convicted are "so heinous he should be executed." CNN said the defense, on the other hand, will try to make a softer picture of him and draw sympathy from the jury.

Reacting to the decision, suvivors of the bombing told CNN that they were "gratified" with the verdict "but found no joy in it."

"Obviously we are grateful for the outcome today. It's not a happy occasion, but it's something that we can put one more step behind us," said bombing survivor Karen Brassard .

For his part, Jeff Bauman, who lost both his legs during the attack, was relieved with the outcome.

"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," Bauman told CNN.

Tsarnaev's conviction also meant justice for the three fatalities during the attack: restaurant manager Krystle Campbell, who was supporting a friend in the race, Chinese graduate student Lu Lingzi and 8-year-old Martin Richard who was with his family watching the race.

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