BOSTON MARATHON BOMBER CONVICTED ON ALL COUNTS

Bomber was "radicalized"watching videos by a San Diego imam

By Miriam Raftery

April 8, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) --A jury has found Dzhokhar Tsarnaev guilty on all 30 counts related to the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013. Tsarnev could face the death penalty for the crimes, which killed three and wounded 264 other victims, the Boston Globe reports.

The defendant carried out the horrific crimes with his brother, Tamarlan, who died after being shot in a gun battle with police and run over by Tsarnaev. The defense argued that Tsarnaev was unduly influenced by his older brother. But the prosecutor told jurors, “This was intentional. It was bloodthirsty.” 

Tsarnaev told authorities that he and his brother became radicalized in part by watching videos made by Anwar al-Awlaki, the Wall Street Journal reported.  Awlaki was a Muslim cleric at a mosque on the boundary of San Diego and La Mesa, also attending school at San Diego State University. He was believed by authorities to be a mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks and other terrorist actions before he was killed recently by a U.S. drone in Yemen.

The dual bombings during the Boston Marathon hit home for local runners, including participants in the race from San Diego as well as La Mesa, El Cajon, Alpine, Lakeside and Ramona in East County.  Ramona resident Steve Tally crossed the finish line just moments before the bombs exploded.

Tsarnaev was convicted on all charges including conspiracy and using a weapon of mass destruction resulting in death. He showed no emotion during the reading of the verdict, according to WBUR TV in Boston. The jury deliberated for 11 hours before reaching a decision in the case. The sentencing phase of the trial will be next week.