Federal prosecutors charged badly wounded Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in his hospital bed on Monday (April 22) with using a weapon of mass destruction, a charge that could result in the death penalty, officials said.

A court spokesman said a magistrate judge was present when Tsarnaev was charged at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, where Tsarnaev was listed in serious condition.

Tsarnaev, 19, was also charged with malicious destruction of property resulting in death.

Tsarnaev was unable to speak after he was captured with throat injuries sustained during shootouts with police.

The fact that he was charged indicated the previously sedated defendant was communicative because the magistrate judge would have to be satisfied he was aware of the proceedings.

Presented by Adam Justice

READ:

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/boston-marathon-bombing-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-charges-death-460214