coverage in Boston and evaluations

Defense attorneys had asked that the trial be moved to Washington, D.C., citing extensive media coverage in Boston and evaluations of public sentiment by their experts. They also asked for a trial delay until at least September 2015, saying they have not had time to prepare for a November trial, and had been given less time than was granted in many other federal death penalty cases. Tsarnaev, 21, has pleaded not guilty to 30 federal charges. He could face the death penalty if convicted. a similar large venue where feelings and publicity about that case were strong. Boston has recently held several high-profile federal trials, including that of Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger, O'Toole noted. In each case, he said, jurors returned mixed verdicts indicating they had carefully evaluated trial evidence. Prosecutors say he and his older brother placed two pressure cooker bombs that exploded near the marathon's finish line. Three people were killed and more than 260 were injured.