(NECN: Boston) - The U.S. government will seek the death penalty against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in the Boston Marathon bombings.
The Boston Marathon bombings killed three people and wounded more than 260 others.
Seventeen of the 30 federal charges against Tsarnaev, including using a weapon of mass destruction to kill, carry the possibility of the death penalty.
The 20-year-old has pleaded not guilty; no trial date has been set as of yet.
Tsarnaev's lawyers have no immediate comment.
Prosecutors allege Tsarnaev, then 19, and his 26-year-old brother, ethnic Chechens from Russia, built and planted two pressure-cooker bombs near the finish line of the marathon in April to retaliate against the U.S. for its military action in Muslim countries.
The older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, died in a shootout with police during a getaway attempt days after the bombing. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was wounded but escaped and was later found hiding in a boat parked in a yard in Watertown, Mass.
Killed in the bombings were: Martin Richard, 8, of Boston; Krystle Campbell, 29, of Medford; and Lu Lingzi, 23, a Boston University graduate student from China. At least 16 others lost limbs.
Tsarnaev is also charged in the slaying of the MIT police officer and the carjacking of a motorist during the brothers' getaway attempt.
Massachusetts abolished its state death penalty in 1984, and repeated efforts to reinstate it have failed.
Statement from Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick:
"One way or another, based on the evidence, Tsarnaev will die in prison. In each milestone of this case -- today's announcement, the trial and every other significant step in the justice process -- the people hurt by the Marathon bombings and the rest of us so shocked by it will relive that tragedy. The best we can do is remind each other that we are a stronger Commonwealth than ever, and that nothing can break that spirit."
Statement by U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz regarding Attorney General's authorization of the death penalty:
Local
"Today, United States Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. authorized the government to seek the death penalty in the case of United States v. Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev. We support this decision and the trial team is prepared to move forward with the prosecution. A short time ago, the government filed with the Court the required notice of intent to seek the death penalty. The case will now continue to proceed through the pretrial process and the next scheduled court event is a status conference set for February 12, 2014. While I understand the public interest in this matter, we have rules that limit the release of information and the scope of public statements. The process by which this decision was made is confidential, and I will not comment further about that process other than to say that it entailed a careful and detailed consideration of the particular facts and circumstances of this case."
Statement attributable to Senator Markey:
"I am against the death penalty, except in the case of terrorism. In this case, a terrorist attack killed and injured innocent people, and one law enforcement officer was gunned down and another gravely wounded. I trust the Justice Department to prosecute this case appropriately."
Statement from Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray:
"I am confident that the government will do everything possible to seek justice for the atrocious attacks against our citizens. As we move forward in this process, we remember the victims, we are inspired by the bravery and we will always be Boston Strong."
Statement from MBTA Transit Officer Dic Donohue, who was shot during the manhunt for the Tsarnaev brothers:
"The announcement made today by the Attorney General reflects an important step in the judicial process. I am confident that various aspects of the law and pertinent information available were weighed in making the decision to pursue the death penalty in the case of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. As we await the trial, I hope all those affected by the events surrounding the Boston Marathon bombings continue to heal both physically and emotionally."
