Today's sketch of #tsarnaev just released pic.twitter.com/Ih8WOYuakP
— Jesse Grossi (@producerjesse) January 5, 2015
Barring a most unexpected plot twist, Dzokhar Tsarnaev will remain in federal custody for the rest of his life. There are many mysteries about the journey that led from four dead and 260 wounded victims at the Boston Marathon to Tsarnaev cowering in that drydocked boat in a Watertown back yard, but the only suspense is whether the government will be granted permission to end his life before he succumbs to old age or accident.
From WCVB, local news station Ch.5 [warning – autoplay video]:
… Monday’s proceedings began what could be weeks of jury selection in the nation’s most closely watched terror trial since the Oklahoma City bombing two decades ago.
Security was tight, with dozens of police officers stationed inside and outside the federal courthouse, along with bomb-sniffing dogs.
The potential jurors seemed riveted by Tsarnaev and by U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr.’s explanation of the gravity of what they will be asked to do if they are picked: They must decide not only whether the former college student is guilty or innocent, but also what his punishment will be if he is convicted — life in prison or execution…
O’Toole briefly outlined the 30 charges against Tsarnaev, which include using a weapon of mass destruction. He is also accused of killing an MIT police officer as he and his brother, now dead, made their getaway…
Over three days, a pool of about 1,200 prospective jurors will be summoned to court. Twelve jurors and six alternates will be selected. The judge said testimony in the trial will begin on Jan. 26 and is expected to last three to four months…
The unusually large pool was seen as necessary because of the need to weed out people who might be unduly influenced by heavy news coverage of the tragedy, along with the many runners, spectators and others affected by the bombings. Also, those who are opposed to the death penalty will not be allowed on the jury…
Since approximately 60% of Massachusetts voters have rejected the death penalty, repeatedly, over the last 30 years, the jury will not accurately represent our Commonwealth, but of course that’s not why this spectacle is being conducted. Per CNN [warning – autoplay video]:
… Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys for Tsarnaev have held talks on a possible plea agreement but failed to reach one, U.S. officials familiar with the talks say.
The discussions in recent months have centered on the possibility of Tsarnaev pleading guilty and receiving a life sentence without parole, according to the officials.
But the talks have reached an impasse because the Justice Department has resisted removing the death penalty as a possibility, these officials say…
Attorney General Eric Holder is a critic of the death penalty, but he authorized seeking capital punishment in this case saying Tsarnaev acted in “an especially heinous, cruel and depraved manner.” He also cited a seeming lack of remorse…
So Holder is against state-sponsored murder, except in a case where his opinion would actually affect the outcome. Since federal prosecutor Carmen Ortiz is notoriously in favor of the death penalty for all criminals more depraved than parking-ticket scofflaws and those who fail to return library books in a timely fashion, this allows Holder the comfort of his principles without the risk that he might inconvenience the various national security agencies that want Tsarnaev silenced permanently. Truly, this case will stand as an exemplar of our modern era for future historians… or anthropologists.