In the Headlines
April 17, 2015

Parents of Youngest Boston Marathon Victim Oppose Death Penalty for Tsarnaev

The New York Times

During the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was recently convicted for all counts against him in the bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon, the government showcased the death of an 8-year-old boy. His family was also injured during the bombing, and his father, Bill Richard, testified at the trial. The family has now sent an open letter to the Justice Department praising law enforcement and the department for their work in the aftermath but also asking that the government stop seeking the death penalty in this case.

The family did not argue against the death penalty itself. They said they wanted to avoid endless appeals and move forward from the tragedy and the trial. In the letter, the Richards family said, “The minute the defendant fades from our newspapers and TV screens is the minute we begin the process of rebuilding our lives and our family.”

Attorney Jeremy Sternberg said despite the father and family's obvious anguish, the letter was likely to make little difference.

“As far as the Department of Justice is concerned, they are one of a number of victims,” Mr. Sternberg, a former prosecutor, said.

READ: Parents of Youngest Boston Marathon Victim Oppose Death Penalty for Tsarnaev

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