Friend guilty of trying to shield Boston Marathon bombing suspect

A college friend was convicted of trying to protect Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev by agreeing with another friend to get rid of items they took from his room three days after the attack.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jul 2014, 18:22 BST

Azamat Tazhayakov, a baby-faced 20-year-old, put his hands over his face and shook his head as guilty verdicts were read on charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

It was the first trial stemming from the twin bombings, which killed three and injured more than 260 near the marathon’s finish line in April last year.

His mother sobbed loudly and rocked in her seat.

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The jury found Tazhayakov conspired with friend Dias Kadyrbayev to take from Tsarnaev’s room a backpack containing fireworks that had been emptied of their explosive powder. Prosecutors said the explosive powder could have been used to make bombs.

Prosecutors and defence lawyers both told the jury it was Kadyrbayev who actually threw the items away, but prosecutors said Tazhayakov agreed with the plan and was an active participant.

Tazhayakov now faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence for obstruction and a five-year maximum term for conspiracy.

He is scheduled to hear his sentence at a hearing due to take place on October 16.