Analysis: Tsarnaev Defense Strategy Not Unusual For Death Penalty Case

The defense in the Boston Marathon bombing trial did not cross examine any witnesses Thursday, one day after conceding Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's involvement in the bombing.

Suffolk Law professor Chris Dearborn says that's not unusual in a death penalty case.

"There's no points to be scored by the defense for asking those people any questions," Dearborn told WBUR's All Things Considered. "Revisiting some of those wounds on cross-examination would accomplish nothing."

Dearborn says the defense will likely focus its efforts on trying to spare Tsarnaev's life by portraying him as under the influence of his older brother.

Listen to our full conversation with Dearborn above.