In the moments before he was arrested on April 19, 2013, accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev used a pencil to scrawl on the inside of a boat parked behind a home in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Nearly two years later, those writings – riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood – were introduced in federal court as evidence in the murder case against him.
Tsarnaev addressed the loss of his brother, Tamerlan, who had died in a police shootout earlier that day. "I do not mourn because his soul is very much alive," the message said. "God has a plan for each person. Mine was to hide in his boat and shed some light on our actions."
According to photographs and transcripts, the message included anti-American sentiments, accusing the U.S. of "killing our innocent civilians."
"I can't stand to see so much evil go unpunished," he wrote. "We Muslims are one body, you hurt one you hurt us all"
The 12-member jury saw photos of the message. Judge George O’Toole Jr. is still trying to decide how jurors can see the message in person. Prosecutors want to cut out panels of the boat to display in the courtroom. The defense would rather bring the entire boat to the courthouse and allow jurors to view it outside.
Tsarnaev is on trial for the April 15, 2013, bombing that killed 3 people and injured more than 260 others. He has pleaded not guilty.
The trial is will continue on Wednesday and is expected to continue for several more weeks.
Nearly two years later, those writings – riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood – were introduced in federal court as evidence in the murder case against him.
Tsarnaev addressed the loss of his brother, Tamerlan, who had died in a police shootout earlier that day. "I do not mourn because his soul is very much alive," the message said. "God has a plan for each person. Mine was to hide in his boat and shed some light on our actions."
According to photographs and transcripts, the message included anti-American sentiments, accusing the U.S. of "killing our innocent civilians."
"I can't stand to see so much evil go unpunished," he wrote. "We Muslims are one body, you hurt one you hurt us all"
The 12-member jury saw photos of the message. Judge George O’Toole Jr. is still trying to decide how jurors can see the message in person. Prosecutors want to cut out panels of the boat to display in the courtroom. The defense would rather bring the entire boat to the courthouse and allow jurors to view it outside.
Tsarnaev is on trial for the April 15, 2013, bombing that killed 3 people and injured more than 260 others. He has pleaded not guilty.
The trial is will continue on Wednesday and is expected to continue for several more weeks.