The parents of 8-year-old Martin Richard, who was killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, have asked federal prosecutors to drop their case for the execution of bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, reports the Boston Globe. The plea came a few days before jurors are to return to federal court to begin determining Tsarnaev's punishment. Tsarnaev, 21, was convicted April 8 of all 30 charges he faced, 17 of which carry the possibility of the death penalty. The explosions killed three people. Richard’s parents said they did not want to suffer through the years of appeals that would follow a death sentence.
US Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, whose office is prosecuting the case, said she could not comment because the case is pending. She added that she cared “deeply about their views and the views of the other victims and survivors. As the case moves forward we will continue to do all we can to protect and vindicate those injured and those who have passed away.” The same jury that convicted Tsarnaev is scheduled to return Tuesday for the sentencing phase of his trial, which could last four weeks. They have been ordered to not read media coverage of the case.