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Sergeant Who Leaked Bomb Suspect Photos Placed On Desk Duty

Alleged marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev emerges from a boat during his capture. (Courtesy Sgt. Sean Murphy, via Boston Magazine)
Alleged marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev emerges from a boat during his capture. (Courtesy Sgt. Sean Murphy, via Boston Magazine)

A Massachusetts State Police photographer who released photos of the bloodied surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect during his capture has been placed on restricted duty.

Sgt. Sean Murphy leaked the photos to Boston Magazine last week, saying he wanted to counter a glamorized image of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

On Tuesday, Murphy was placed on desk duty, where he would have no contact with the public, until a further investigation is completed.

Murphy wasn't authorized to release the 14 photos, and he's already served a one-day, unpaid suspension. Some attorneys say the release of photos and Murphy's comments could be used to argue government bias against Tsarnaev.

Tsarnaev was captured hiding in a boat in Watertown four days after the April 15 bombings.

Earlier:

This article was originally published on July 23, 2013.

This program aired on July 23, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

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