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| Trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tsarnaev begins | Trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tsarnaev begins |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The trial of the man accused of planting bombs close to the finish line of the Boston Marathon two years ago is under way in the city. | The trial of the man accused of planting bombs close to the finish line of the Boston Marathon two years ago is under way in the city. |
| A federal prosecutor said in opening statements on Wednesday that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev had "murder in his heart" when he placed the bomb. | A federal prosecutor said in opening statements on Wednesday that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev had "murder in his heart" when he placed the bomb. |
| Mr Tsarnaev, 21, denies more than 30 counts including using a weapon of mass destruction. | Mr Tsarnaev, 21, denies more than 30 counts including using a weapon of mass destruction. |
| It was the deadliest terror attack on US soil since 9/11. | It was the deadliest terror attack on US soil since 9/11. |
| The left side of the court was filled with about two dozen of the attack's victims as the trial began. | The left side of the court was filled with about two dozen of the attack's victims as the trial began. |
| Three people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed after two pressure cooker bombs packed with nails, ball bearings and other shrapnel detonated in April 2013. | Three people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed after two pressure cooker bombs packed with nails, ball bearings and other shrapnel detonated in April 2013. |
| More than 260 people were injured, with many losing limbs. | More than 260 people were injured, with many losing limbs. |
| The 21-year-old suspect stared straight ahead as the prosecutor, William Weinreb, began his opening statement. | The 21-year-old suspect stared straight ahead as the prosecutor, William Weinreb, began his opening statement. |
| Detailing the scene near the finish line just under two years ago, the prosecutor said: "The air was filled with the smell of burning sulphur and people's screams." | Detailing the scene near the finish line just under two years ago, the prosecutor said: "The air was filled with the smell of burning sulphur and people's screams." |
| Mr Weinreb described the backpack bomb that Mr Tsarnaev allegedly planted at the finish as "the type of bombs favoured by terrorists because it's designed to tear people apart and create a bloody spectacle." | Mr Weinreb described the backpack bomb that Mr Tsarnaev allegedly planted at the finish as "the type of bombs favoured by terrorists because it's designed to tear people apart and create a bloody spectacle." |
| Among those in attendance were Denise and Bill Richard, whose 8-year-old son, Martin, died in the bombings. Heather Abbott, who lost a leg in the attack, sat nearby. | |
| Mr Tsarnaev is also accused of killing a police officer in the days after the bombing. | Mr Tsarnaev is also accused of killing a police officer in the days after the bombing. |
| A huge police man hunt followed the attacks, culminating in Mr Tsarnaev's arrest and the death of his elder brother Tamerlan, who was also suspected of the bombings. | A huge police man hunt followed the attacks, culminating in Mr Tsarnaev's arrest and the death of his elder brother Tamerlan, who was also suspected of the bombings. |
| Jury wrangling | Jury wrangling |
| In the moments before the jury sat, the judge threw out yet another request from Mr Tsarnaev's lawyers to move the trial outside of Boston. The lawyers have claimed in three previous requests that a fair trail could not take place in the city. | |
| It took the court more than two months to select a jury. | It took the court more than two months to select a jury. |
| Over 1,300 potential jurors were considered, with many rejected on the grounds they had already made their minds up about Mr Tsarnaev's guilt, or were not willing to vote for execution if he is found guilty - something prosecutors are pushing for. | Over 1,300 potential jurors were considered, with many rejected on the grounds they had already made their minds up about Mr Tsarnaev's guilt, or were not willing to vote for execution if he is found guilty - something prosecutors are pushing for. |
| His defence team repeatedly tried to have the hearing moved out of Boston, saying a fair trial would be impossible in the city. | His defence team repeatedly tried to have the hearing moved out of Boston, saying a fair trial would be impossible in the city. |
| They are expected to argue that his elder brother was the driving force behind the attack. | They are expected to argue that his elder brother was the driving force behind the attack. |
| But the prosecution will argue that the brothers - both ethnic Chechens - set off the bombs as an act of retaliation against the US for its military action in Muslim countries. | But the prosecution will argue that the brothers - both ethnic Chechens - set off the bombs as an act of retaliation against the US for its military action in Muslim countries. |
| They plan to show jurors panels of the boat which Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found by police in, where he had allegedly scrawled anti-US messages. | They plan to show jurors panels of the boat which Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found by police in, where he had allegedly scrawled anti-US messages. |