Tsarnaev goes on trial in Boston Marathon bombing

BOSTON — His life on the line, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev went on trial Wednesday in the Boston Marathon bombing, with prosecutors saying he planted explosives specifically designed to "tear people apart and create a bloody spectacle."

"He believed that he was a soldier in a holy war against Americans," Assistant U.S. Attorney William Weinreb said. "He also believed that by winning that victory, he had taken a step toward reaching paradise. That was his motive for committing these crimes."

A shaggy-haired, goateed Tsarnaev, 21, slouched in his seat and looked at Weinreb as the prosecutor launched into his opening statement in the nation's most closely watched terrorism trial since the Oklahoma City bombing nearly 20 years ago.

Three people were killed and more than 260 hurt when two pressure-cooker bombs exploded near the finish line seconds apart on April 15, 2013. Tsarnaev is accused of carrying out the attacks with his older brother, now dead.

Read Thursday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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