Boston Bombing Suspect Tsarnaev May Get Unwatched Family Visits

Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev may be able to receive prison visits from his family without being watched over by federal agents, a federal judge said Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. said he doesn’t believe the absence of an FBI agent during visits posed a serious security threat, the Boston Globe reports. Defense attorneys wanted Tsarnaev’s family to speak openly during the visits so they could see the “story” of the suspect and his relatives.

“I don’t think the safety, security issue looms very large,” O’Toole said.

O’Toole said he’s waiting two weeks before making a final decision, as the U.S. Bureau of Prisons may want to give input on the matter.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the 20-year-old Tsarnaev, who faces a 30-count federal indictment for his alleged role in the Boston Marathon bombings and subsequent manhunt that left five dead, including Tsarnaev’s older brother. Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

[Boston Globe]