The Challenges Of Defending A Terrorist

26:34

July 10, 2013

Federal law enforcement officers stand outside the federal courthouse prior to arraignment for Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Boston. The April 15 attack killed three and wounded more than 260. The 19-year-old Tsarnaev has been charged with using a weapon of mass destruction, and could face the death penalty.(AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)

Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is being arraigned today in federal court. It's his first public appearance since the April 15 bombing attacks that killed three people and wounded more than 260. Tsarnaev is charged with using a weapon of mass destruction and could face the death penalty.

We're looking specifically at the challenge of defending a terror suspect — someone who's accused of such an appalling crime that so many people witnessed, and for which there is so much evidence of guilt.

Guests

Nancy Gertner, professor at Harvard Law School, and a former federal judge for the district of Massachusetts.

Stephen Jones, a defense attorney in Oklahoma who represented Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.

This segment aired on July 10, 2013.