Boston Marathon Bombing Prosecution
Overview: Boston Marathon Bombing (April 15, 2013)
Two homemade pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing 3 people and injuring more than 260. The attack was carried out by Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who were motivated by extremist beliefs.
Key Prosecutions
1. United States v. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (2015)
Who: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, younger of the two brothers.
Charges:
Use of a weapon of mass destruction
Bombing of a public place
Conspiracy
17 capital offenses among 30 total charges
Trial Details:
Tried in federal court in Boston.
Defense admitted his role but argued he was under the influence of his older brother, Tamerlan.
Outcome:
Convicted on all counts.
Sentenced to death in 2015.
The Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 2022 after an appeal.
Significance:
First death penalty case under federal anti-terror laws post-9/11 with such public attention.
Set precedent on handling domestic terrorism with high-profile juries.
2. United States v. Azamat Tazhayakov (2014)
Who: College friend of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, from Kazakhstan.
Charges:
Obstruction of justice
Conspiracy to obstruct justice by removing evidence from Tsarnaev’s dorm room
Facts:
Tazhayakov and another friend took a backpack and laptop from Tsarnaev’s dorm after recognizing him on TV, intending to help him avoid capture.
Outcome:
Convicted on both counts. Sentenced to 3.5 years in federal prison.
Significance:
Established that even non-violent assistance to a terrorist act can lead to serious federal charges.
3. United States v. Dias Kadyrbayev (2014)
Who: Another Kazakhstani student and friend of Tsarnaev.
Charges:
Obstruction of justice
Conspiracy
Facts:
Kadyrbayev joined Tazhayakov in removing and later discarding Tsarnaev’s backpack.
Outcome:
Pled guilty. Sentenced to 6 years in prison.
Significance:
Plea deal showed cooperation can result in reduced sentencing in federal obstruction cases.
4. United States v. Robel Phillipos (2014)
Who: American friend of Tsarnaev.
Charges:
Lying to federal agents during a terrorism investigation (18 U.S.C. § 1001)
Facts:
Lied to the FBI about being present when the backpack was taken from Tsarnaev’s dorm.
Outcome:
Convicted. Sentenced to 3 years in prison.
Significance:
Emphasized the serious consequences of lying during terrorism-related investigations, even without direct involvement in violence.
5. United States v. Ibragim Todashev (Pre-Prosecution)
Who: Associate of Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
Facts:
During FBI questioning in Florida, Todashev admitted involvement in a 2011 triple homicide with Tamerlan but was shot and killed after allegedly attacking agents.
Outcome:
No prosecution (suspect died).
Significance:
Connected Tamerlan to earlier unsolved crimes; showed federal agents working to uncover wider criminal ties beyond the bombing.
6. United States v. Khairullozhon Matanov (2015)
Who: Friend of the Tsarnaev brothers, taxi driver.
Charges:
Making false statements
Obstructing a terrorism investigation
Facts:
Lied to FBI agents about his contact with the brothers after the bombing.
Outcome:
Pled guilty. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.
Significance:
Part of broader effort to prosecute anyone obstructing terrorism investigations, even indirectly.
Summary Table
| Case | Defendant | Charge(s) | Outcome | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (2015) | Main bomber | 30 counts incl. terrorism, WMD | Death sentence | Landmark federal terrorism trial |
| Azamat Tazhayakov (2014) | Friend | Obstruction, conspiracy | 3.5 years | Removed evidence from dorm |
| Dias Kadyrbayev (2014) | Friend | Obstruction, conspiracy | 6 years | Guilty plea for same actions |
| Robel Phillipos (2014) | Friend | False statements to FBI | 3 years | Lied about being present during obstruction |
| Khairullozhon Matanov (2015) | Acquaintance | False statements, obstruction | 2.5 years | Downplayed post-bombing contact |
| Ibragim Todashev (2013) | Tsarnaev associate | (Not prosecuted – killed during questioning) | N/A | Linked to earlier murder case |
Legal Principles & Impact
Obstruction of Justice is a federal felony even without direct involvement in terrorism.
Material support for terrorism charges can apply broadly.
18 U.S.C. § 1001 (false statements) is commonly used in federal terrorism investigations.
Reinforced the use of federal court (not military tribunals) for domestic terrorism cases.
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