Punishment for Tsarnaev: Life incarcerated or the Death Penalty?

Punishment for Tsarnaev: Life incarcerated or the Death Penalty?

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Jan 05, 2015

I would hate to be Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Not only would I have the blood on my hands of the innocent victims in which I reined terror upon that will never wash away, but I would be showing up in court today to witness the United States judicial process first hand, with me as the “star.” Tsarnaev’s “paparazzi,” better known as media outlets, have swarmed the front doors of Moakley courthouse, positioning their cameras up against the metal barricade that blocks people from getting too close. I guess they all want to be the first to get a real glance at him. Personally, I think Tsarnaev is evil incarnate and who really wants to see that?

So far, Tsarnaev has been described as a “21-year-old, his hair long and curly, with no expression on his face” “dressed in khakis and a dark shirt” as the judge asked him to stand during the morning and afternoon sessions of choosing jurors. It has also been said that when he was introduced to the potential jurors, he showed “little emotion.” This makes me wonder what emotion he did show. Just what IS going through Tsarnaev’s mind?

Tsarnaev faces 30 charges and with 17 of them comes the possibility of the death penalty. But, is that really enough? Nothing can bring back the deceased, not even killing the killer. And, the injured, well, they will live with their scars for the rest of their lives whether physical, emotional or both.

Here’s something I’ve learned about terrorists over the past few years of being in the security industry: Terrorists love death. They LOVE it! When a terrorist kills, he or she is looked upon as a martyr by the others in their terrorist community. “Wow, what a great honor,” they are led to believe.

So, what should happen to Tsarnaev? His acts were terroristic in nature and if he gets the death penalty, will his family and others from his community honor him as a martyr? Or, would it be more of a punishment to Tsarnaev if he was convicted and sentenced to rot away incarcerated?

I leave this to you, the reader, to ponder and comment on. Death penalty or life incarcerated for the Boston Marathon bomber?

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.