Boston Marathon trial: Footage of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev showing middle finger to surveillance camera

[Surya Gayatri]

Jurors are deciding on whether Tsarnaev should be executed or serve a life in prison without parole for his crimes

A video showing Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev sticking his middle finger up at a jail surveillance camera following the fatal bombing in 2013 has been released, as jurors decide whether the Chechen-American should be executed for his part in the attack.

Prosecutors said at court that the images released to the public by the US Department of Justice on Wednesday showed 21-year-old Tsarnaev’s callous nature and proved that he “was determined and destined to be America’s worst nightmare.”

Tsarnaev’s defence argued that it showed nothing more than a 19-year-old looking at his reflection.

Prosecutors at court said that the hand gesture was Tsarnaev's message to America and proved that Tsarnaev was “untouched by the grief he had caused” and that he deserved to be put to death.

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This should definitely influence the jury in his favor.

[yeoman6987]

1. Young and dumb

But the defense explanation is ridiculous. The lawyer couldn't come up with something better then that? Looking at his reflection....lol.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

5. Why should any incarcerated person be expected not to be defiant of authority?

I'd expect someone who was in jail for shoplifting or graffiti to throw the bird to police, too. I think that finger was totally irrelevant to the bombing or sentencing.

[yeoman6987]

9. Well I have a hard time believing that the picture would be shown to the jury

It doesn't make sense to but a lot of things have changed over the years in our judicial system.

[BeyondGeography]

2. Kill him!

Tsarnaev is a remorseless POS, but he's just screwing around here. Oh look, a camera. Fuck you, camera people! Not even worth showing a jury.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. The victim testimony yesterday was the most intense yet

according to those present in the courtroom. Seasoned reporters were visibly shaken.

Tsarnaev is an absolutely remorseless piece of garbage.

I was called by the Boston Globe last evening re: my opinion on what his fate should be. It was an easy one to answer.

[merrily]

4. If I lived in a tiny cell with zero privacy since age 19, I'd give the camera the finger, too.

He certainly appears to be guilty and has been held guilty. I don't know if he has remorse or not, but drawing conclusions from this is self righteous and stupid, IMO.

[Surya Gayatri]

7. I'm sure he is going 'stir crazy'...but the jury may not see it that way.

He's young and stupid, but he's made no attempt to attone for his actions.

TBS, I do NOT condone the death penalty. It should be suppressed universally.

[merrily]

8. I would not have to be stir crazy or guilty to have given the camera the finger.

I don't think the jury is going to be kind to him, no matter what. Not saying it should be kind, but the case should never have been tried in Boston.

[JaneyVee]

6. Rot In Prison.