Officials Hope Tsarnaev Death Penalty Verdict Brings Closure
BOSTON (CBS) – City and state officials, including Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, said there is a "small amount of closure" after jurors sentenced Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to the death penalty.
Read: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Sentenced To Death For Marathon Bombings
Walsh released a statement on Friday minutes after the convicted Boston Marathon bomber was sentenced to death rather than life in prison.
"I want to thank the jurors and the judiciary for their service to our community and our country. I hope this verdict provides a small amount of closure to the survivors, families, and all impacted by the violent and tragic events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon," said Walsh.
"We will forever remember and honor those who lost their lives and were affected by those senseless acts of violence on our City. Today, more than ever, we know that Boston is a City of hope, strength and resilience, that can overcome any challenge."
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Also on Friday afternoon, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Chief John DiFava reacted to Tsarnaev's death sentence.
MIT Police Officer Sean Collier was killed in the Boston Marathon bombings aftermath.
On behalf of the entire MIT Police Department, I would first like to offer my continued sympathy and support to the victims and their families. While the horror thy have endured can never be undone, I hope that the conclusion of the trial and the subsequent verdict can offer some kind of closure, no matter how small.
I would also like to extended my deepest thanks and appreciation to the United States Attorney's Office and the prosecution team; the FBI and supporting law enforcement agencies, and the men and women of the jury who were confronted with an extremely difficult decision and performed admirably.
We respect the judicial system in the United States and its well defined process. No verdict could erase the horrible tragedies that have occurred, and we respect the decision of the jury.\
Gov. Charlie Baker reacts to verdict
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker addressed the media following the verdict, and praised the jurors for reaching a difficult decision after months of testimony and deliberations.
"I hope this represents some kind of closure for all of those who were impacted by this tragedy," said Baker, who praised the city's resiliency in the aftermath of the bombings.
"I think the fact that they made a unanimous decision speaks to the significance of the acts that were performed here."
Read: WBZ Reporters' Live Updates From Court
Massachusetts State Police Col. Timothy Alben said his department's thoughts remain with the victims of the bombings.
"On behalf of the Massachusetts State Police I want to extend our thanks and deepest respect to the the members of the jury in the Tsarnaev Case. For months, these men and women placed their lives on hold for the greater good of our community. They listened intently to the testimony, carefully evaluated the evidence and were committed to the immense responsibility of thoughtful and intensive deliberation," said Alben.
"Today, the jury has spoken with a verdict to enact the death penalty. As with the guilty verdict several weeks ago, the collective thoughts of this department remain not with the defendant and the path he chose that resulted in today's verdict, but for the victims of his actions, their families and this greater community."
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey thanked the jurors for their service. "What is clear is that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev tried to strike fear in the heart of a city, and failed miserably," Healey said. "While this trial may be completed, we will never forget those that we lost and the strength and resilience that our community showed in the face of such evil."
