Third Day of Tsarnaev Jury Selection Comes to a Close

Tsarnaev, 21, is accused of taking part in the twin bombing at the finish line of the race on April 15, 2013

After three days, six sessions and more than 1,350 prospective jurors, Boston marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has likely been introduced to the 18 men and women who will make up the jury of 12 plus six alternates who will decide his fate.

In the final session Wednesday, bombing survivor Jaymi Cohen and her father Dana of Andover, Massachusetts sat with U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz as they watched jury instructions. Jaymi is a Tufts University lacrosse player who was at the marathon with her teammates when she was seriously injured in front of Forum restaurant. She didn't want to comment on what she thought about seeing Tsarnaev in person, but it clearly affected her.

For his part, Tsarnaev appeared to look out at the jurors sitting mere feet from him, still not making eye contact, but not ignoring them either.

He even seemed to nod in acknowledgement in Judge George O'Toole's direction as the judge introduced him and asked him to stand before the jury pool. Jurors were then left to fill out questionnaires.

Some jurors will find out next week they've been excused, others will be brought back in to be questioned individually starting next Thursday.

Tsarnaev, 21, is accused of taking part in the twin bombing at the finish line of the race on April 15, 2013, killing three people and wounding more than 260 others. He is also charged in the slaying of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer. He has pleaded not guilty.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us