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Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Found Guilty on All Counts in Boston Bombing Trial

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Updated: | Originally published: ;

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the college student who had been accused in the Boston Marathon bombings that shook the city and the country in April 2013, was found guilty on all counts by a federal jury Wednesday. His conviction, nearly two years after the blasts that killed three people and injured more than 260 others, as well as in the death of an MIT security officer, makes him eligible for the death penalty, though his lawyers will instead try to get him sentenced to life in prison.

A panel of 12 jurors in Boston reached the verdict after weeks of testimony from some 90 witnesses and 11 hours of deliberations spread over two days. Tsarnaev, now 21, had been charged with conspiring and carrying out the attack alongside his older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev that included setting off two pressure-cooker explosives near the finish line of the marathon on April 15, 2013. Krystle Campbell, Martin Richard and Lu Lingzi died after the blasts on Boylston Street.

The attacks prompted a massive manhunt around the city for the suspects. In the days after the blasts, the brothers killed MIT security officer Sean Collier; Tamerlan Tsarnaev died following a shootout with police officers. The search ended on Friday, April 19, when Dzhokhar was found hiding in a boat in Watertown.

Last month, defense attorney Judy Clarke told jurors in her opening statement that “it was him.” With that acknowledgment, Clarke aimed not to dispute the case against her client, but rather to argue what led him to take part. Prosecutors said Dzhokhar was equal to Tamerlan, 26, in carrying out the attack, but Clarke said Tsarnaev was operating under the guise of his older brother.

Wednesday’s guilty verdict completes the first stage of the trial. A second phase, involving the same jury, will decide whether Dzhokhar Tsarnaev receives life in prison or the death penalty.

Victims of the attack expressed relief after Wednesday’s announcement.

“Today’s verdict will never replace the lives that were lost and so dramatically changed, but it is a relief, and one step closer to closure,” Jeff Bauman, who lost both legs in the bombing, said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Heather Abbott, who lost her left leg, released a statement on Facebook via her foundation. “Thanks to everyone who reached out today and have continued to support me and the other Bombing victims and their families over the last 2 years,” she wrote. “Nothing can ever replace the lives that were lost or changed forever, but at least there is some relief in knowing that justice is served and responsibility will be taken.”

Collier’s family also released a statement about the verdict. “Sean Collier gave his life doing what he was born to do,” the family said. “While today’s verdict can never bring Sean back, we are thankful that Dzhokar Tsarnaev will be held accountable for the evil that he brought to so many families,” the statement continued. “The strength and bond that everyone has shown during these last two years proves that if these terrorists thought that they would somehow strike fear in the hearts of people, they monumentally failed. We know Sean would be very proud of that.”

See Evidence From the Boston Bombing Trial

Boston Bombing Trial Evidence Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
Prosecutors presented this image of a blood-stained, bullet-ridden message, allegedly written by Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on the inside of a boat, to jurors as evidence in Boston on March 10, 2015.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
Boston Bombing Trial Evidence Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
Prosecutors presented this image of a blood-stained, bullet-ridden message, allegedly written by Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on the inside of a boat, to jurors as evidence in Boston on March 10, 2015.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
Boston Bombing Trial Evidence Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
Prosecutors presented this image of a blood-stained, bullet-ridden message, allegedly written by Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on the inside of a boat, to jurors as evidence in Boston on March 10, 2015.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
The boat where Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev hid after a gunfight with police
This still image, presented as evidence at trial, shows the boat where Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev hid after a gunfight with police.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in shoot out with police
This still image captured from video shows brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev crouched behind a car during their April 2013 shootout with police. U.S. Department of Justice/Corbis
Evidence markers are seen on a street where Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev engaged in a gunfight with police in this undated handout evidence photo
Evidence markers are seen on a street where Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev engaged in a gunfight with police.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
A 9mm Luger clip and bullet package sit next to a backpack and bag on a street where Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev engaged in a gunfight with police in this undated handout evidence photo
A 9mm Luger clip and bullet package sit next to a backpack and bag on a street where Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev engaged in a gunfight with police.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
A wallet containing the drivers license for Tamerlan Tsarnaev is entered as evidence in trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in Boston
A wallet containing Tamerlan Tsarnaev's drivers license is seen in a still handout image entered as evidence in the trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
A large fragment of a homemade pressure-cooker bomb is seen in a still handout image entered as evidence during Tsarnaev trial in Boston
A large fragment of a homemade pressure-cooker bomb that accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is charged with throwing at police officers during a gunfight in Watertown, Mass. on April 19, 2015, is seen embedded in the side of a Honda Civic that was parked near the site of the disturbance.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
An unexploded metal bomb entered as evidence in trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in Boston
An unexploded metal bomb filled with explosive powder and lined with metal pellets was entered as evidence in the trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
An unexploded metal bomb entered as evidence in trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in Boston
An unexploded metal bomb was entered as evidence in the trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
Boston Bombing Trial Evidence Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
This still image capture from video, which was released as evidence in the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, shows the chaos as a bomb explodes during the 2013 Boston Marathon.U.S. Department of Justice/EPA
Boston Bombing Trial Evidence Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
A still image captured from surveillance video at the Boston Marathon shows the scene moments before a second bomb exploded as a man, marked with a circle by prosecutors (top R) and identified by them as defendant Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, moves rapidly away from the spot near the finish line of the race on April 15, 2013 in Boston.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
Boston Bombing Trial Evidence Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
A still image captured from surveillance video at the Boston Marathon shows the moment when a second bomb exploded as a man, marked with a circle by prosecutors (top R) and identified by them as defendant Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, moves rapidly away from the spot near the finish line of the race on April 15, 2013 in Boston.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters
Boston Bombing Trial Evidence Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
A still image captured from surveillance video at the Boston Marathon shows the moment when a second bomb exploded as a man, marked with a circle by prosecutors (top R) and identified by them as defendant Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, moves rapidly away from the spot near the finish line of the race on April 15, 2013 in Boston.U.S. Department of Justice/Reuters

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh expressed hope for a “swift sentencing process,” adding in an official statement, “the incidents of those days have forever left a mark on our City.” Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said in a statement that he applauded the verdict: “I hope this brings some degree of closure to those individuals and their families whose lives were changed forever on that horrific day.”

In a midafternoon news conference, survivor Karen Brassard expressed relief at the verdict, but dismissed questions about a feeling of closure. “We’re all aware that this is not a process that’s going to be over anytime soon. It’s’ going to take many years to get through this.” She called Wednesday’s verdict “one more piece to the puzzle being done.”

Next Wednesday, on the second anniversary of the attack, Walsh will mark the city’s new tradition of One Boston Day, which will revolve around encouraging random acts of kindness and community support. He will help raise banners on Boylston Street to honor the victims and survivors of the blasts, then visit several sites around Boston to see how neighborhoods are marking the day.

Read next: The Horror. The Heroism.

Photos: The Last Moments of the Man Hunt for Boston Bombing Suspect

Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
6:02.14 p.m. Tactical Police Officers converge on the house where 19-year-old Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was hiding at the time of his capture in Watertown, Mass., April 19, 2013.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
6:04.55 p.m. Tactical Police Officers get their first view of the boat where Tsarnaev was hiding.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
6:15.04 p.m. Massachusetts State Police troopers prepare for the final assault on the boat where Tsarnaev was hiding.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:08:59 p.m. The boat containing Tsarnaev.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:29:21 p.m. Tsarnaev, bloody and disheveled, rises out of the boat.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:29:38 p.m. Tsarnaev raises his hands.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:31:10 p.m. Tsarnaev stands in the boat.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:31:11 p.m. Tsarnaev stands in the boat.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:31:23 p.m. Tsarnaev stands in the boat with the red dot of a rifle's laser sight locked on his head.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:32:10 p.m. Tsarnaev raises his shirt to show that he is not armed or concealing an explosive device.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:33:54 p.m. Tsarnaev begins to step out of the boat.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:39:48 p.m. Tsarnaev stands in the boat with his hands raised.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:39:48 p.m.Tsarnaev stands in the boat with his hands raised.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:39:59 p.m. Tactical units move in on Tsarnaev to remove him from the boat.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:40:06 p.m. Tactical units move in on Tsarnaev to remove him from the boat.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:40:16 p.m. Tactical units move in on Tsarnaev to remove him from the boat.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:40:31 p.m. Tactical units remove Tsarnaev from the boat and place him in custody.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:46:48 p.m. Tactical units tend to Tsarnaev.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:46:48 p.m. Tactical units tend to Tsarnaev.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's capture
7:49:02 p.m. Medical personnel move Tsarnaev into an ambulance.Sgt. Sean Murphy—Massachusetts State Police

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