A new development in the case of Dzhokar Tsarnaev, who is accused of carrying out the Boston Marathon bombings with his late brother.
"Alleged Boston city bombers used Christmas lights and model car parts to make explosives, that's according to new court documents. Prosecutors say the explosives were elaborate." (Via HLN)
Fox News reports federal prosecutors also claim Tamerlan and Dzhokar Tsarnaev used black powder from fireworks as the fuel for the two bombs that killed three people and injured at least 260 others near the 2013 Boston Marathon finish line.
But because no evidence of that fine black powder was found during searches of the Tsarnaev brothers' homes and vehicles, prosecutors say they're worried the pair had help building the pressure cooker bombs.
A motion obtained by CNN Wednesday said, "These relatively sophisticated devices would have been difficult for the Tsarnaevs to fabricate successfully without training or assistance from others."
According to ABC, the prosecution believes a terrorist group might have assisted the Tsarnaevs in constructing the sophisticated weapons. But a terrorism analyst for CNN says otherwise.
"In the days after the Boston bombings, United States Counter Terrorism Services were concerned. But a year on, there is no evidence that has emerged that suggests that overseas terrorist groups were responsible."
It's unclear exactly who investigators believe could have helped or trained Tamerlan and Dzhokar Tsarnaev.
But as the Boston Herald points out, prosecutors say this new information supports their argument that questioning Dzhokar as soon as possible was crucial to public safety. They also cite comments the brothers allegedly made about setting off more bombs in New York and a note investigators say Dzhokar wrote in the boat where he was captured.
Earlier this month, Dzhokar's defense team filed a motion to throw out any statements he made to FBI agents while he was hospitalized after his capture. His team says he was reportedly questioned without a lawyer present. (Via The Boston Globe)
Dzhokar Tsarnaev reportedly told authorities he and his brother acted alone and that there were no more bombs. He has pleaded not guilty to several federal charges against him.
