Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The trial of the man accused of planting bombs close to the finish line of the Boston Marathon two years ago is under way in the city.
A federal prosecutor said in opening statements on Wednesday that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev had “murder in his heart” when he placed the bomb.
Mr Tsarnaev, 21, denies more than 30 counts including using a weapon of mass destruction.
It was the deadliest terror attack on US soil since 9/11.
The left side of the court was filled with about two dozen of the attack’s victims as the trial began.
Three people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed after two pressure cooker bombs packed with nails, ball bearings and other shrapnel detonated in April 2013.
More than 260 people were injured, with many losing limbs.
The 21-year-old suspect stared straight ahead as the prosecutor, William Weinreb, began his opening statement.
Detailing the scene near the finish line just under two years ago, the prosecutor said: “The air was filled with the smell of burning sulphur and people’s screams.”
Mr Weinreb described the backpack bomb that Mr Tsarnaev allegedly planted at the finish as “the type of bombs favoured by terrorists because it’s designed to tear people apart and create a bloody spectacle.”
Among those in attendance were Denise and Bill Richard, whose 8-year-old son, Martin, died in the bombings. Heather Abbott, who lost a leg in the attack, sat nearby.
Mr Tsarnaev is also accused of killing a police officer in the days after the bombing.
BBC