Attorneys for Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev appealed to a judge on Monday to grant them more time to mount a defense against the death penalty.
They argued in federal court that prosecutors haven’t provided them with key information they need to submit a proper claim against the death penalty, The Associated Press reported. The report didn’t detail what evidence Tsarnaev’s attorneys have yet to receive, except to say that it was relevant to the argument that the suspect doesn’t deserve to be put to death.
In response, one prosecutor told the judge that it’s been six months since the April 15 bombing attack — more than a “reasonable” amount of time to launch such a defense.
Prosecutors right now are set to make their recommendation — whether or not to go for the death penalty — to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. by Oct. 31. Mr. Holder will make the final determination.
Three people were killed in the terrorist attack in Boston. More than 260 were injured, including several who lost limbs.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.