Boston Marathon bombing mastermind Dzokhar Tsarnaev gave his first public statement in over two years during his official sentencing today. The attacks, which were carried out by Dzokhar and his brother Tamerlan, left 3 dead and another 260 injured. Tamerlan was killed days after the bombing during the ensuing police manhunt for the two suspects.
Speaking at a Boston courthouse in front of Judge George O'Toole, Tsarnaev took responsibility for the attacks. His statement, as printed in the Boston Globe, is shared below:
"I would like to apologize to the victims and the survivors," said Tsarnaev, who was sentenced to death. "I did do it."
"I am sorry for the lives I have taken, for the suffering I have caused, and for the terrible damage I have done," he said. He was hunched over and spoke with a slight accent.
It was the first time Tsarnaev's voice has been heard in federal court in Boston, other than to enter his not-guilty plea. His statement came after hours of heartwrenching testimony from relatives of those killed in the bombing and survivors of the blasts.
"I am Muslim. My religion is Islam. I pray to Allah to bestow his mercy on those affected in the bombing and their families," he said. "I pray for your healing."
"I ask Allah to have mercy on me, my brother, and my family," he said in his brief statement to a silent courtroom.
Judge O'Toole sentenced the 21 year old Tsarnaev to death by execution.
"When your name is mentioned all that will be remembered is the evil you have done." Said O'Toole to Tsarnaev.
The sentencing makes Tsarnaev currently the youngest inmate on death row in the United States.
