Northwestern Grad to Defend Boston Bombing Suspect

 Posted on June 30, 2013 in Criminal Defense

When Miriam Conrad graduated from Northwestern University’s journalism school, she likely did not think that she would be the defense attorney for one of the highest profile cases in the nation. Well, she is. Ms. Conrad, who is the head of the Federal Public Defender’s office in Massachusetts, is going to represent Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is accused of using a weapon of mass destruction that resulted in three deaths and hundreds more injured in the Boston bombings.

Ms. Conrad is not new to high profile cases, but representing Tsarnaev will be tricky not only because of the gruesome nature of the attack, but also because of the attention the case has gotten from the media worldwide. It will be difficult for Ms. Conrad to find an untainted jury pool that can keep an open mind for whatever defense she may devise.

Ms. Conrad has been able to negotiate favorable deals for defendants of this type in the past, but this may not be the case here. Federal prosecutors will have a great deal of pressure to vindicate the victims and their families, and they may be unlikely to show leniency. At best, Ms. Conrad may negotiate a deal that avoids the death penalty in exchange for life in prison.

Despite the difficult road ahead, Ms. Conrad has a proven track record of fighting to the end, no matter who her client is. Few would argue that Tsarnaev deserves any sympathy from the country that he attacked, but providing competent representation to a person like him goes to the core of what makes this country the leader of the Free World.

Regardless of the legal situation of a defendant, a competent criminal defense attorney can ensure the best possible outcome. At the Law Office of Christopher M. Cosley we have provided competent representation to Illinois clients for many years.

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