Convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on Wednesday apologized to his victims and for the lives he took two years ago.
Speaking publicly for the first time since he and his brother set off pressure cooker bombs that caused devastating injuries and death, Tsarnaev addressed the court that has sentenced him to die.
"If there is any lingering doubt, I did it along with my brother," Tsarnaev said in a Boston courtroom, moments before a judge formally handed down the jury's death sentence. "I am sorry for the lives I have taken."
Boston reporters tweeted Tsarnaev's words as he spoke:
#Tsarnaev now preparing to speak.
— Patricia Wen (@globepatty) June 24, 2015Tsarnaev: I want to express gratitude to Allah and his creation.
— Patricia Wen (@globepatty) June 24, 2015#tsarnaev rises to address judge, begins "in the name of Allah." Speaks softly. "I want to express gratitude to Allah and his creation."
— Milton Valencia (@MiltonValencia) June 24, 2015#tsarnaev rises to address judge, begins "in the name of Allah." Speaks softly. "I want to express gratitude to Allah and his creation."
— Milton Valencia (@MiltonValencia) June 24, 2015Thanks his attorneys.
"Made my life the last two years easy. I cherish their companionship."
Thanks those who testified for him.
#Tsarnaev
— Kevin Cullen (@GlobeCullen) June 24, 2015"If you have not thanked the people you have not thanked God." He addresses his attorneys and thanks them, the jury.
— Milton Valencia (@MiltonValencia) June 24, 2015I'd like to thank those who took time off of daily lives and testify. Thank jury and court. "If you are not merciful for God's creation...."
— Patricia Wen (@globepatty) June 24, 2015Id like to thank the jury.
I would like to apologize to the victims and the survivors.
#Tsarnaev
— Kevin Cullen (@GlobeCullen) June 24, 2015"I would like to apologize to the victims and the survivors." He pauses.
— Milton Valencia (@MiltonValencia) June 24, 2015Immediately after the bombing that I am guilty of, I learned of some of the victims, their names, their faces,t heir age.
#Tsarnaev
— Kevin Cullen (@GlobeCullen) June 24, 2015immed after the bombing...I did do it. I learned of some of the victims. I learned their names , their faces, their age.
— Patricia Wen (@globepatty) June 24, 2015More of those victims were given names in this trial.
All those who got up there on the witness stand…related to me…something that
#Tsarnaev
— Kevin Cullen (@GlobeCullen) June 24, 2015Says he learned about the victims, the names, their souls, after the blasts.
— Milton Valencia (@MiltonValencia) June 24, 2015During this trial, more of the victims had names. ....No soul is burdened w/more than it can bear.
— Patricia Wen (@globepatty) June 24, 2015Strenght, with patience with dignity.
Told us how unbearable it was.
Not enough time in the day…
I have respect for people
#Tsarnaev
— Kevin Cullen (@GlobeCullen) June 24, 2015Tsarnaev:" I am sorry for the lives I have taken....for the suffering I have caused and the terrible damage I have done. "
— Patricia Wen (@globepatty) June 24, 2015I am sorry for the lives I have taken…the damage I have done….(showing emotion). I am Muslim. My religion is Islam.
#Tsarnaev
— Kevin Cullen (@GlobeCullen) June 24, 2015"I am sorry for the lives I have taken and the suffering I caused and the damage I've done, irreparable damage."
— Milton Valencia (@MiltonValencia) June 24, 2015I am Muslim....the God I worship. I pray the God the bestow mercy on me. I pray for relief for your healing and well being and strength.
— Patricia Wen (@globepatty) June 24, 2015I pray to Allah, to bestow his mercy on those affected in the bombing and their families…I pray for your healing…
#Tsarnaev
— Kevin Cullen (@GlobeCullen) June 24, 2015"I ask Allah to have mercy upon me, my brother and my family."
— Milton Valencia (@MiltonValencia) June 24, 2015I ask allah to have mercy on me my brother and my family.
I ask Allah to have mercy on the Umah.
Thank you.
#Tsarnaev
— Kevin Cullen (@GlobeCullen) June 24, 2015"I ask Allah to have mercy upon me, my brother and my family....Allah knows the best ...
Thank you."
— Patricia Wen (@globepatty) June 24, 2015Forewoman wipes a tear from her eye.
— Milton Valencia (@MiltonValencia) June 24, 2015Courtroom is silent, full of emotion.
#Tsarnaev
— Kevin Cullen (@GlobeCullen) June 24, 2015Tsarnaev is done with his statement. He sits down.
— Patricia Wen (@globepatty) June 24, 2015After Tsarnaev spoke, U.S. District Judge George O'Toole Jr. informed the 21-year-old that no one will remember anything good about him.
"What will be remembered is that you murdered and maimed innocent people, and that you did it willfully and intentionally. You did it on purpose," O'Toole said. "I sentence you to the penalty of death by execution."
