Finish Line

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev sat expressionless and nearly motionless next to his attorneys, just as he has done during every other day of the federal death penalty case against him. But listening to his defense team, it seemed like he wasn't even in the room, let alone the person on trial. In Day 24, Boeri and Cullen discuss the second day of defense testimony in the penalty phase, which was all about Tamerlan -- Dzhokhar's older, now dead brother -- and his wife Katherine.

"We've now seen more pain, and more horror, and more grief in this courtroom than any of you would have thought possible." That’s how attorneys today for convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev opened as they began their defense in the sentencing phase of the trial against him. In Day 23, Boeri and Cullen discuss the defense's goal to shift the focus--from all that pain and horror--to putting Tsarnaev’s crimes into context and convincing just one juror that he should serve life in prison over death.

Three days into the sentencing phase in the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the government has rested its case. In Day 22, Boeri and Cullen discuss the prosecution's decision to end on a chilling but moving story from a father who lost a leg in the marathon bombings, and who witnessed the final moments of eight-year-old Martin Richard's life.

In the second day of the penalty phase in the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the jury listened to bittersweet memories shared by family members whose loved ones died at the hands of the Tsarnaev brothers. It all built on the government's case that Tsarnaev's crimes were heinous, cruel, and depraved, and thus warrant the death penalty. In Day 21, Boeri and Cullen discuss that devastating testimony, and the defense's entry of new video evidence - which called into question the meaning behind a shocking image introduced by the prosecution, showing …

At the start of the second phase in the trial against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the prosecution began to make the case that he deserves the death penalty. In Day 20, Boeri and Cullen discuss the opening statements, the powerful victim testimony, and the effect of some victims publicly calling for life in prison over death might have on the case.

Two years ago today, two bombs exploded near the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, killing three and injuring more than 260 others. Last week, the jury found Dzhokhar Tsarnaev guilty on all 30 charges against him. On the anniversary of the bombing, the trial is on a break between the guilt and sentencing phases, and Boeri and Cullen look ahead to what we can expect next.

It comes as no surprise that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been found guilty of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. After 11 hours of deliberations over two days, the jurors found Tsarnaev guilty on all 30 counts against him, and many more sub-counts. Boeri and Cullen react to the verdict and look ahead to what's coming: the decision on whether Tsarnaev should be punished by death.

Twelve jurors, selected from a pool of more than 1,300, were sequestered in a room today to review the 30 charges against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. In Day 18, the first full day of deliberations in the guilt phase, Boeri and Cullen discuss who the jurors are, and how their life experiences and perspectives might affect Tsarnaev's fate in this death penalty trial.

The guilt of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is now in the hands of a jury. After 16 days of testimony, 95 witnesses and piles of evidence, the 12 jurors will now deliberate on the 30 charges against him. On Day 17, Boeri and Cullen discuss the closing statements by the prosecution and the defense. The government closed with a highlight reel of graphic images from the bombing. And the defense closed by acting as if they were the prosecutors of Dzhokhar's dead older brother, Tamerlan.

After 15 days of testimony from witnesses for the prosecution, attorneys for admitted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev began to present their case yesterday afternoon. A day and two hours later, the defense rests, having called just four witnesses to the stand. Boeri and Cullen discuss Day 16 and the defense's limited focus in this phase of the trial - on portraying Dzhokhar as following the lead of his older brother Tamerlan.