Boston Marathon bombing survivors, families react to death penalty verdict

More than two years after the Boston Marathon bombings that left three dead and hundreds more injured, a jury has sentenced Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to death for his role in the bombings and subsequent attacks.

The verdict brought much relief to the survivors of the attacks and their families, many of whom have been waiting to see justice for years.

Adrianne Haslet, a professional dancer who lost a portion of her leg in the attacks, tweeted her joy about the guilty verdict.

My heart is with our entire survivor community. I am thrilled with the verdict! #bostonstrong #bostonsafer

— AdrianneHD (@AdrianneHaslet) May 15, 2015

Rebekah Gregory, who lost her left leg in the bombings, tweeted a statement shortly after the verdict was read.

Completely numb… and waiting anxiously for the day this is really over. My heart and prayers are with my Boylston Street family. <3

— Rebekah Gregory (@rebekahmgregory) May 15, 2015

Sydney Corcoran, who suffered severe injuries and whose mother lost both of her legs as a result of the bombings, tweeted that the verdict will finally bring justice to her and her family.

My mother and I think that NOW he will go away and we will be able to move on. Justice. In his own words, “an eye for an eye”.

— Sydney Corcoran (@Sydney23Lynne) May 15, 2015

She also added that Tsarnaev “took away his own right to live.”

He took away his own right to live.

— Sydney Corcoran (@Sydney23Lynne) May 15, 2015

Richard “Dic” Donohue, a transit officer who was shot during the shootout following the bombings, returned to work Friday and tweeted out a statement that said the community can close this chapter in their lives.

“Just over two years after the events that impacted us as a community and a nation, we can finally close this chapter in our lives,” he said. “The verdict, undoubtedly a difficult decision for the jury, gives me relief and closure as well as the ability to keep moving forward.”

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh said in a statement that he hopes the verdict will provide closure to those impacted by the 2013 events.

“I want to thank the jurors and the judiciary for their service to our community and our country,” he said. “I hope this verdict provides a small amount of closure to the survivors, families, and all impacted by the violent and tragic events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon. We will forever remember and honor those who lost their lives and were affected by those senseless acts of violence on our city. Today, more than ever, we know that Boston is a city of hope, strength and resilience, that can overcome any challenge.”

Massachusetts State Police Superintendent Colonel Timothy P. Alben also released a statement thanking the members of the jury for carefully evaluating the evidence and engaging in “thoughtful and intensive deliberation.”

The verdict took less than two days to deliberate, finding Tsarnaev guilty of committing an act of terrorism and causing injury, harm and loss to the four victims of the attacks, Krystle Campbell, Martin Richard, Lingzi Lu and Sean Collier, as well as many other factors that decided the death penalty.

Let's continue to remember all the victims.
#SeanCollier
#MartinRichard
#LuLingzi
#KrystleCampbell
#BostonStrong pic.twitter.com/BXxkkpytYA

— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) May 15, 2015

“Today is not a day for celebration…it is a day for reflection and healing,” prosecutor Carmen Ortiz said in a statement Friday, before naming the victims in the attacks.

Bill and Denise Richard, the parents of 8-year-old Martin, were present for the verdict after advocating for the death penalty to be taken off the table, citing the prolonged appeals process as a reason to oppose it.

Tsarnaev is the first client of defense attorney Judy Clarke to be put to death. He is expected to be executed by lethal injection.