The verdict is in, and the Boston bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, will be put to death for setting off explosives at the Boston marathon. Some say his cold, emotionless reaction to the death sentence is the same icy stare that got him convicted in the first place. But victims of the Boston bomber and their families are not holding back their emotion in response to the verdict.
According to USA Today , the reactions from Boston bomber victims were mixed. Some were overwhelmingly relieved that Tsarnaev will get the fate he deserves while others believe he was getting off easy for a reprehensible act of terrorism. A few Boston citizens gave their honest opinions on the death sentence to local news sources, all agreeing that the Boston bomber deserved to be punished–but some disagreed on what that punishment should be.
“He should have had life in prison because I think he should suffer like everyone else had to suffer,” said Michelle Cole, a Massachusetts student. “Why should he get the satisfaction of just ending, just like that? I think he should get tortured.”
Michael Ward, one of the firefighters who helped the victims of the Boston bomber the day of the marathon, had equally harsh words about Tsarnaev — but he left his hopes for torture to the afterlife.
“I remember the vile, disgusting thing that this person did. He wanted to go to hell, and he’s going to get there early.”
According to the Washington Post , a few victims of the Boston bomber did not support the death penalty. John and Denise Richard, who lost an 8-year-old son to Tsarnaev, drew up a petition to fight the death sentence.
Other victims were not so sure how they felt about sentencing Tsarnaev to death. Jarrod Clowery, who lost his legs in the Boston bomber attack, voiced ambivalence about the whole process.
“I’m not the right person to ask what I believe and don’t believe. I’m just glad I didn’t have to do it and go through that, but I stand with the jury and the judge and their verdict.”
Another victim who lost limbs in the explosion, Adrianne Haslet-Davis, was perfectly happy with the Boston bomber verdict, tweeting, “My heart is with our entire survivor community. I am thrilled with the verdict! #bostonstrong #bostonsafer”
Elizabeth Norden, whose sons required amputations after the Boston bomber attack, is also happy with the verdict but claims it can never provide true closure.
“I have to watch my two sons put a leg on every day, so I don’t know about closure,” Norden said. “But I can tell you it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I think there is some form of good feeling.”
What do you think about the death sentence being given to Tsarnaev? Does the Boston bomber deserve worse? Or does the punishment fit the crime?
[Image credit: Getty]
