Prosecutors announced that they will seek the death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the two suspected Boston Marathon bombers, accused of killing three people and injuring more than 200 in an attack on April 15, 2013.
The U.S. Attorney's Office of Massachusetts filed a notice of intent in the case, announcing the decision on Thursday. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder authorized the prosecutors to seek capital punishments after months of speculation over whether the prosecutors would settle for life in prison.
"After consideration of the relevant facts, the applicable regulations and the submissions made by the defendant’s counsel, I have determined that the United States will seek the death penalty in this matter. The nature of the conduct at issue and the resultant harm compel this decision," Holder said in a statement.
Death penalty authorized by AG Holder for Boston Marathon bombing suspect— U.S. Attorney MA (@DMAnews1) January 30, 2014
Tsarnaev, who was 19 at the time of the blasts, faces 30 criminal counts as a result of the bombing, including using a weapon of mass destruction -- a crime that carries the death penalty. Tsarnaev's lawyers argue that he acted under the influence of his brother Tamerlan, 26, an accomplice in the bombings who died in a shootout with the police.
The announcement doesn't necessarily mean that Tsarnaev will be executed, though. In almost half of federal death penalty cases, prosecutors withdraw the threat of death before the trial in exchange for a plea deal. A trial date is not yet set.