Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Who Released New Pics of Bombing Suspect Tsarnaev 'Relieved of His Duty

The Massachusetts State Police sergeant who released new pictures of Boston bombing suspected Dzhokar Tsarnaev in retaliation against the new Rolling Stone cover has been relieved of his duty and is under investigation, Boston Magazine editor John Wolfson reports. The move has been confirmed by the State Police.

Boston Magazine published a series of photos showing the final moments of the manhunt for accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. (Photo credit: Sean Murphy/Boston Magazine)

Wolfson, who received the pictures and wrote the initial story, sent out a series of messages via Twitter on Thursday night saying Sgt. Sean Murphy has been relieved but not fired and that authorities took his gun, badge, and computer. Wolfson also said Murphy has been ordered to stay quiet.

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In a statement, the State Police said, “the dissemination to Boston Magazine of photographs of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev and police activity related to his capture was not authorized by the Massachusetts State Police.”

That same statement says Murphy has been “relieved of his duty for one day,” although it's unclear if that will be extended if the investigation continues.

See more of the pictures in our previous story.