Boston--A crack defense team launched its bid Monday to save Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev from the death penalty, blaming his older brother Tamerlan, "consumed by jihad," for the 2013 carnage.
"As awful as his crime was, life in prison faced with what he has done is a better choice for everyone," said lawyer David Bruck in his opening statement at the penalty phase of Tsarnaev's trial.
The 21-year-old former student was found guilty this month of carrying out the 2013 bombings that killed three people and wounded 264 in one of the deadliest attacks in the US since 9/11.
The immigrant of Chechen descent was convicted on all 30 counts related to the bombings, the murder of a police officer, a carjacking and a shootout while on the run in April 2013.
Bruck showed the Boston courtroom a picture of America's only federal "supermax" prison in the wilds of Colorado, where he said Tsarnaev would live out the remainder of his days in obscurity.
"You will punish him and protect society at the same time," Bruck said.
There would be "no martyrdom" for the killer who claimed the attacks were to avenge US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But the mastermind was older brother Tamerlan, 26, who was shot dead by police four days after the attacks, the defense argued.
Tamerlan was "consumed by jihad," going to Russia when Tsarnaev was a 17-year-old at high school and returning to the United States six months later, Bruck said.
Witnesses spoke of an arrogant Muslim with a temper who was passionate about boxing but who struggled to integrate in America.
AFP
