Boston bombing trial faster than expectedMarch 16, 2015 - 14:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The first two weeks of the Boston Marathon bombing trial focused on the injuries and deaths from the 2013 attack: Survivors recounted losing limbs and loved ones as federal prosecutors told of the killing of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer, the Associated Press reports. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's trial, which begins its third week on Monday, March 16, had been expected to last three to four months. But it is moving faster than anticipated, largely because the defense has not cross-examined many witnesses. On Thursday, Dun Meng, a Chinese national who moved to the U.S. in 2009 to attend Boston's Northeastern University, described being carjacked at gunpoint by Tsarnaev's older brother, Tamerlan, on the night of April 18, 2013, three days after the bombing. Meng said after he and Tamerlan drove around for 20 or 30 minutes, they pulled over on a street in Watertown and Dzhokhar drove up in another car. The brothers then took Meng in his car to a bank machine and Dzhokhar used his pin number to withdraw money from his account. When Tamerlan pulled into a gas station and Dzhokhar went inside to pay, Meng bolted from the car and ran into another gas station for help. He described the encounter with the brothers as "terrifying." Tamerlan died following a shootout with police early the morning of April 19. Dzhokhar was captured hiding inside a boat that night. Tsarnaev's lawyer admitted during opening statements that he participated in the bombings and the later crimes, but said his brother was the mastermind who recruited the then 19-year-old Dzhokhar to help him. Prosecutors say Tsarnaev was a full and willing participant. Now 21, he faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted. The same jury that decides guilt will decide whether he receives life in prison or the death penalty. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured in the attack. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |