Policy

Tsaernev Could Face Death Penalty for WMD Charge

Or life in prison

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Federal authorities on Monday charged Dzhokhar Tsarnaev with one count of conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against persons and property in the United States in connection with last week's bombing of the Boston Marathon.

The 19-year-old captured Friday night after an exhaustive search and two bloody firefights was also charged with one count of using an improvised explosive device and one count of attempting "malicious destruction of property." 

If convicted of the charges, he could face the death penalty or life in prison.