Tsarnaev Lawyers Request Delay Due to ‘Prejudice’ over Paris Attacks

The lawyers for Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev filed a request this week to delay his trial because they’re worried about a prejudicial impact of the Paris attacks last week.

According to CNN, Tsarnaev’s attorneys argued, “This measure would allow some time for the extraordinary prejudice flowing from these events — and the comparison of those events to those at issue in this case — to diminish.” They cite parallels drawn in the media between Paris and Boston, and request the court should ” question potential jurors about possible bias and prejudgment of the defendant in this case.”

Judge George O’Toole, Jr. subsequently denied their request, explaining, “A fair and impartial jury can and will be chosen to determine the issues in this case.”

Jury selection for Tsarnaev’s trial is currently underway.

[image via screengrab]

— —

Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!