ABC News reports that the office of federal defender Miriam Conrad in Boston was yesterday appointed to represent Mr Tsarnaev, who is charged with using a weapon of mass destruction to kill in the 15 April bombings.
Death penalty
However, her office must complete 15 days of unpaid leave between April and the end of September because of cuts of around 10 per cent. Ms Conrad has also asked that two death penalty lawyers be appointed.
Federal defenders suggested yesterday that the defence could cost millions of dollars due to the sheer amount of evidence to examine and the resources needed if the government presses for the death penalty punishment.
'Essential function'
Assistant federal public defender from Arizona Geoff Cheshire added that investigators, experts, psychologists and others will need to be paid for, as it is ‘crucial’ to ensure Mr Tsarnaev has a robust defence.
Ms Conrad told the Associated Press yesterday that representing people accused of crimes is an ‘essential function’, while adding that her office was already understaffed.
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