It’s been exactly two weeks since Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev allegedly detonated two pressure cooker bombs at the Boston Marathon; an act of terror that killed three and injured more than 200.
Since April 15, authorities have shut down and reopened the city of Boston, engaged in a shootout with the Tsarnaev brothers, captured the youngest of the two and charged him with using a weapon of mass destruction. He is now being held in a small cell in a federal medical detention center.
Other details about Dzhokar, also known as Jahar, and his brother’s religious beliefs have come to light; details that will no doubt aid in building the case against the alleged bombers. Russian authorities have also confirmed that they intercepted a 2011 conversation between Tamerlan and his mother concerning Jihad.
Here are the latest updates in the ongoing case.
1. Female DNA Found On Bomb
Investigators have confirmed that they found female DNA on at least on of the bombs used in the Boston Marathon attacks. However, they have yet to determing whose DNA it actually is. It also isn’t clear if that person helped the two brothers carry out the attacks.
There are multiple explanations about how the DNA ended up on the bomb. Authorities say the genetic material could have come, for example, from a store clerk who handled materials used in the bombs or a stray hair that ended up in the bomb. Investigations will continue into the week.
2. Tamerlan’s Ex-Girlfriend Speaks Out About His Abuse
Nadine Ascencao, an ex-girlfriend of Tamerlan, told reporters that during their relationship, the alleged bomber tried to turn her against the U.S. He would also beat her when she wore Western clothing. Ascencao also mentioned that when they began dating, Tamerlan was a fun-loving student, however, towards the end of their relationship, he turned into an Islamic extremist who shunned her American life.
She says of her breakup with Tamerlan, “it was a lucky escape.”
“One minute he’s this funny, normal guy who liked boxing and having fun, the next he is praying four times a day, watching Islamic videos and talking insane nonsense. He became extremely religious and tried to brainwash me to follow Islam. Tamerlan said I couldn’t be with him unless I became a Muslim. He wanted me to hate America like he did.”
Read more about the details of their relationship, including the competition between Ascencao and his current wife, Katherine Russell, here.
3. Police Located The Stolen Mercedes With Theft-Protection Technology
When Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev carjacked a victim, who is identified as “Danny,” they weren’t aware that the new Mercedes SUV was equipped with anti-theft technology. After Danny escaped and called police at a nearby gas station, he gave the police permission to activate the mbrace technology on his Mercedes-Benz, which then allowed them to locate the vehicle down to its exact coordinates. The mbrace system can also remotely start the vehicle and unlock the doors.
4. Mysterious Friend “Misha” Speaks Out, Denies Teaching Tamerlan Radical Ways
The man, only identified as “Misha,” who has been accused by the Tsarnaev family of influencing Tamerlan’s conversion to radical Islam, has been found in Rhode Island and is denying that he was involved in the bombings, or Tamerlan’s beliefs, in any way.
“I wasn’t [Tamerlan’s] teacher. If I had been his teacher, I would have made sure he never did anything like this,” said Mikhail Allakhverdov, which is his real name.
“I’ve been cooperating entirely with the FBI. I gave them my computer and my phone and everything I wanted to show I haven’t done anything. And they said they are about to return them to me. And the agents who talked told me they are about to close my case.”
Read the rest of Allakhverdov’s statement here.
5. Dzhokhar Has Stopped Cooperating With Police
Dzhokhar, the younger of the two Tsarnaev brothers, has reportedly stopped cooperating with police after he was read his Miranda rights last week. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev immediately stopped talking after a magistrate judge and a representative from the U.S. Attorney’s office entered his hospital room and gave him his Miranda warning, according to four officials of both political parties briefed on the interrogation. Since last week, he has not revealed any new information about he and his brother’s plan to bomb the Boston Marathon or Times Square.
This story is developing.
