Boston Bomb Accused's Lawyer: 'It Was Him'

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By Sky News US Team

Boston marathon bombing accused Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's defence lawyer has told a jury he carried out the deadly attack, even though he denies all charges.

In the much anticipated trial's opening statements on Wednesday, defence lawyer Judith Clarke told the court: "It was him."

But she said the 21-year-old was heavily influenced by his older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev.

The attorney said: "It was Tamerlan Tsarnaev who self-radicalised. It was Dzhokhar who followed him.

"The evidence will show that Tamerlan planned and orchestrated and enlisted his brother into this series of horrific acts."

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Gallery: Boston Bombings Trial: Who's Who

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 21, has gone on trial accused of the Boston Marathon bombings. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. He denies wrongdoing

His older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was killed days after the bombings on 15 April 2013

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Tamerlan Tsarnaev's widow, Katherine Russell, is under investigation and could face charges

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Robel Phillipos, a friend of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was found guilty of lying to investigators

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Dias Kadyrbayev (L) has admitted removing evidence of the deadly attack

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Legal analysts believe that since it seems unlikely Tsarnaev will escape conviction, his attorney is trying to save him from the death penalty.

The brothers allegedly placed two pressure-cooker bombs near the marathon finish line on 15 April 2013, killing three people and injuring 264 others.

The younger Tsarnaev is also accused of killing a police officer days after the attacks.

Wearing a white shirt without tie, and a blazer, the accused stared straight ahead as the case against him was laid out amid tight security at the US District Court in Boston.

The parents of the youngest fatality, eight-year-old Martin Richard, were among a dozen or so victims in court.

Assistant US Attorney William Weinreb told the jury the bomb "tore large chunks of flesh" out of the boy, and his mother could only watch helplessly as he bled to death.

He described how the "air was filled with the smell of burning sulphur and people's screams".

Mr Weinreb continued: "It was the type of bomb favoured by terrorists because it is designed to tear people apart and create a bloody spectacle.

"He pretended to be a spectator, but he had murder in his heart."

After the blasts Tsarnaev "acted like he didn't have a care in the world" and hung out with his friends, the prosecutor said.

"He believed that he was a soldier in a holy war against Americans," Mr Weinreb told the court.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was inadvertently run over and killed by his younger brother days after the bombings as he tried to flee police during a shoot-out, the authorities said.

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Gallery: Boston Suspect Before Arrest. Warning: Graphic Images

The new photos show Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev as he surrenders. Warning: This gallery contains graphic images

Tsarnaev has a bloodied skull and appears disoriented at times. The pictures were taken by state police officer Sergeant Sean Murphy

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His widow is under investigation and could face charges related to the bombings, US media report.

The younger Tsarnaev was found four days after the bombings hiding in a boat in the backyard of a home in the Boston suburb of Watertown.

A panel of 10 women and eight men will decide the fate of the ethnic Chechen, who arrived from Russia more than a decade ago.

If found guilty, he will face execution or life in prison without parole.

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Gallery: In Pictures: Boston Marathon Bombs

Two explosions have been reported at the finish line

The bombings on 15 April 2013 killed three people and injured more than 260

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Malu Rasanya