Harsh Boston Bombing Pics, Then Prosecution Rests

Today, jurors wept. The prosecution has rested its case against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, but before doing so it had a medical examiner testify about how the Boston Marathon bombing literally tore apart its youngest victim. Dr. Henry Nields testified about what he saw on and in the 4-foot 5-inch body of 8-year-old Martin Richard: a nearly severed left forearm; a huge abdominal wound; burns; and nails and pieces of wood inside him. Autopsy photos that have been kept from the public were shown. The Boston Globe reports one juror shielded her face.

The morning also saw Dr. Katherine Lindstrom testify about what befell Lingzi Lu, whose injuries to her lower body killed her not immediately, "but relatively quickly, seconds to minutes." Lindstrom believes Lu was conscious during that time. The defense chose not to cross-examine Nields, and with that the prosecution rested its case. The AP reports the defense case is expected to be relatively short; the Globe goes so far as to say it's possible the defense will call no witnesses. If convicted (which the AP frames as possibly a "foregone conclusion because of his admitted guilt"), the second phase, which will end with a determination as to whether he gets life in prison or death, will begin. (More Boston Marathon bombing stories.)