Family members of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev testify in penalty phase of trial

The penalty phase of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is still ongoing as family members took the stand in order to plea for the accused Boston Marathon bomber to get life in prison instead of death for his part in the 2013 attacks.

According to NBC News, after Tsarnaev’s aunt from Russia, Patimat Suleimanova, became emotional when trying to begin her testimony, Tsarnaev appeared to wipe his eyes as though he became emotional himself.

Two other relatives included cousins who talked about how good-natured Tsarnaev had been as a child and how his brother, Tamerlan, had taken a radical turn after emigrating to the United States. Tamerlan was killed in a police shootout following the bombing.

His cousin Naida Suleimanova described him as always smiling as a kid and that he “loved his older brother very much.” She also talked about how it was “custom” for their family to follow the example set by the older sibling.

This goes into the defense’s attempt to argue that Tamerlan was the instigator of the attack and Dzhokhar had merely followed along due to manipulation.

As previously reported, the penalty phase began in April after jurors found Tsarnaev guilty on 30 charges.

The prosecution already presented their case as to why Tsarnaev should get the death penalty.

The family of one of the victims, Martin Richard, has spoken out about why they feel he should get life in prison.