Phase 2 Of Jury Selection Begins In Tsarnaev Trial
BOSTON (AP) — Some of the first prospective jurors questioned in the federal death penalty trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev illustrated the difficulty in finding people who say they have not formed an opinion on Tsarnaev's guilt and would be willing to sentence him to death.
As the second phase of jury selection began Thursday, the judge and attorneys heard from a man who said he believes Tsarnaev is guilty, another who said he could never impose the death penalty and a third whose wife treated bombing victims.
Tsarnaev, 21, is accused in the deadly 2013 marathon bombing. Twin bombs placed near the finish line killed three people and injured more than 260. He is also accused of killing an MIT police officer days after the bombing.
The first juror questioned said he believes Tsarnaev is guilty and would sentence him to death. When pressed by Judge George O'Toole Jr. on whether he would be able to change his opinion after listening to evidence at the trial, the advertising account manager said, "I can't imagine any evidence that would change how I feel about what happened."
Tsarnaev listened to the man's comments impassively while surrounded by his lawyers at a large table. He had a neater, shorter haircut and a trimmed beard that contrasted to his appearance last week, when his hair appeared long and unkempt and his beard was scraggly.
Another potential juror, a Catholic theologian, said he could not impose the death penalty under any circumstances. He later clarified that he could only impose the death penalty if there were no secure prisons to protect the public.
"There's no way in modern America today ... that I am going to vote for the death penalty. I will not," he said.
Another man who was questioned said he works as a product manager at John Hancock, a major sponsor of the marathon. He also said his wife is an intensive care nurse who treated victims of the bombing.
"It's tough, because it hit my wife hard," he said, when asked if his wife's experience would have an effect on his ability to be fair and impartial.
The judge did not immediately make it clear if those jurors were excused.
O'Toole has said he hopes to question about 40 prospective jurors individually each day.
In initial instructions to a group of about 20 on Thursday morning, the judge took on a somber tone as he explained that the jury, after determining whether Tsarnaev is guilty or not guilty, would also decide whether he is executed or gets life in prison.
"The jury, and not the judge, is responsible for determining whether a defendant convicted of a capital crime will live or die," O'Toole said.
Seventeen of the 30 charges against Tsarnaev are capital crimes.
A panel of 12 jurors and six alternates will be chosen. The judge has said he expects testimony in the trial to begin Jan. 26.
Last week, more than 1,350 people filled out lengthy juror questionnaires. Many were expected to be excused based on their responses, but the court has not yet released that number.
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