Community Corner

Marathon Bombing Suspect Tsarnaev Pleads Not Guilty

Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was arraigned in federal court in Boston on Wednesday.

By Sara Jacobi

The man accused of bombing the Boston Marathon was arraigned in federal court today on 30 charges including using weapons of mass destruction and murder. Seventeen of the charges carry a potential death penalty sentence. 

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, appeared before Judge Marianne B. Bowler at the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston on Wednesday afternoon. 

Tsarnaev appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit that was unbuttoned, and a cast on his left arm. 

As the 30 charges against him were read, Tsarnaev's defense attorneys, Miriam Conrad and Judy Clarke, noted he would be pleading "not guilty" on all charges. 

Judge Bowler asked Tsarnaev to stand and enter his plea himself.

Find out what's happening in Jamaica Plainwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Standing at the microphone, in a slight accent, Tsarnaev pleaded not guilty to all 30 charges as they were read in several groups. 

Tsarnaev fidgeted throughout the appearance, touching the left side of his chin, which appeared to be disfigured. 

Find out what's happening in Jamaica Plainwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wedensday's arraignment was Tsarnaev's first court appearance since his arrest on April 19, after a 24-hour-long standoff with police. After his arrest, he was held in a hospital to recuperate from wounds sustained during his capture and was later transported to a military prison in Fort Devens. 

Dzhokhar and his brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who was killed during a confrontation with police in Watertown on April 19, are alleged to have created a pair of bombs that exploded at the Boston Marathon finish line April 15 killing three and wounding hundreds. Dzhokhar has also been charged in the death of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Jamaica Plain