Tsarnaev Friend Found Guilty Of Lying To Investigators

((HT: MyFoxBoston))

If you haven't heard the name Robel Phillipos, you probably need to file it away as someone you need to know about...

After six days of deliberating, Robel Phillipos, a friend of the Tsarnaev brothers, was found guilty on both counts of lying to investigators about being in Dzokhar Tsarnaev's dorm room while two other friends removed a backpack containing potential evidence after the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon attack.

The bombs placed near the marathon finish line killed three people and injured more than 260.

Phillipos had an interesting defense- marijuana consumption.

Here's the latest on the verdict- albeit a very mixed one...
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

He is facing up to 16 years in prison and a verdict will be given in late January- the same month the Tsarnaev trial is set to begin.
Phillipos will be held under house arrest until then.

Boston Marathon Bombing Trial Pushed To January

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But a change of venue request was denied that was put forth by the defense team of suspected bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Judge George O'Toole has now ruled that the trial will begin after the New Year's holiday instead of early November as was previously designated. Tsarnaev's lawyers wanted to delay the trial for a year and wanted a change of venue- saying that there's no way their client can get a fair trail in Boston.

Understandable idea...

Here's the latest on all the legal wrangling
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Tsarnaev could face the death penalty if convicted of making pressure cooker bombs with his brother that went off at the 2013 Boston Marathon- injuring 260 and killing three.

Tsarnaev Friend Pleads Not Guilty To Obstruction

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Prosecutors describe a cab driver form suburban Boston, Khairullozhon Matanov, as a friend of the Tsarnaev brothers- who are suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013. Matanov is accused of obstructing the bombing investigation.

They also maintained in court this morning that Matanov sent thousands of dollars overseas under six different names and may have helped out the Tsarnaev brothers before the bombings. The indictment against Matanov says that the state believes he “knowingly altered, destroyed, concealed, and covered up records, documents, and tangible objects, specifically, information on his computer, with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence an investigation.”

Matanov pleaded not guilty in federal court today to charges of making false statements to investigators, and destroying, altering, and falsifying documents. His next appearance in court is July 15th.

Here's discussion during the proceeding from Boston
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Prosecutors argued that Matanov was a "flight risk" and should be held in jail. Matanov's attorney said that he did not object to being held in jail because his client has nowhere to live and doesn't have his own transportation.

The full indictment can be seen here, thanks to our friends at boston.com

DEVELOPING: Feds Seeking Death Penalty In Boston Marathon Bombing

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Not that this is a surprise... but...
The US Government, through Attorney General Eric Holder, will pursue the death penalty in the Boston Marathon bombing case. Charges will be filed against the living Tsarnaev brother, Dzhokhar...

Here is the notice of intent...

Tsarnaev is charged with using a weapon of mass destruction and 29 other federal charges in the April 2013 attack that killed three people and injured hundreds.

Dzhokhar and his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, are also accused of fatally shooting MIT police officer Sean Collier.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev died after a shootout with police in a Boston suburb...

Brooke Baldwin discusses with Sunny Hostin and Nick Paton-Walsh...
((HT: CNN))

Tsarnaev Pleads Not Guilty In Marathon Bombings

((HT: NECN))

The surviving brother involved in the Boston Marathon bombings plead not guilty seven times in a Boston courtroom...

The proceeding in the courtroom lasted seven minutes- so that averages a plea a minute...

Dzokhar Tsarnaev has been hospitalized since the capture after the April 15th bombing of the Boston Marathon. He faces 30 federal charges, including using a weapon of mass destruction to kill, which killed three and injured more than 260.

He could get the death penalty if prosecutors choose to chase the idea.

Tsarnaev's older brother, Tamerlan, died following a gun battle with police three days after the attack. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was arrested on April 19th and is also charged in the killing of an MIT police officer and the carjacking of a motorist during his getaway attempt.

Here's the NECN coverage of the developments as they came out of the courtroom...


Martin Richard, Krystle Marie Campbell, and Lingzi Lu were killed by the two bombs. They were made out of pressure cookers, gunpowder, nails and other bits and pieces that could easily turn into shrapnel once the bombs were triggered as they were carried in ordinary backpacks.