9:20 A.M.
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (joh-HAHR’ tsahr-NEYE’-ehv) is sitting alone at the defense table as his lawyers and prosecutors huddle at a sidebar with the judge. After a few moments, a member of his defense team goes to sit next to him.
Tsarnaev’s hair is still untamed and curly, and he has a scraggly goatee. He’s wearing a gray suit and slacks.
Judge George O’Toole Jr. has formally denied the fourth change-of-venue motion filed Monday by the defense.
Tsarnaev’s lawyers had acknowledged their three earlier requests were denied but said they wanted to complete the record of their opposition. They have argued their client couldn’t get a fair trial in Massachusetts because of the publicity of the case and the proximity to the attacks.
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7:30 A.M.
Victims of the Boston Marathon bombing have arrived at court for opening statements in Tsarnaev’s trial.
Two busloads of people hurt in the bombings arrived at the federal courthouse at 7:30 a.m. Monday. They entered through a side entrance, away from reporters and photographers gathered at the main entrance.
Marc Fucarile (FYOO’-kuh-rihl) went in the front entrance but did not comment to reporters. He lost a leg in the attack.
Lawyers for Tsarnaev have made it clear they will try to show that he was influenced by his older brother, Tamerlan, who died following a shootout with police days after the bombings.
Prosecutors say Dzhokhar was an equal and willing participant in the plot that killed three and hurt more than 260.
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