Ailina Tsarnaev, the sister of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects may release a statement today.

West New York apartment of Ailina Tsaenaeva, sister of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects
West New York apartment of Ailina Tsaenaeva, sister of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects (David Matthau, Townsquare Media NJ)
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She had expressed a wish to "set the record straight" about her brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev but cancelled a planned press conference at West New York City Hall.

Her attorney, Joseph Ginarte, showed up yesterday and told reporters, "The family is going through a lot," he said. "It's a very difficult time for the family. She has a little baby upstairs — it's very difficult," according to WNBC TV.

West New York Mayor Felix Roque says the family continues to deal with its grief. "They were grieving, very somber, hugging each other, crying, towels in their face. It was very, a very sad thing, very depressing," he told  WNBC TV.

Mourning The Victims

Boston's Prudential Building lit up in honor of the One Fund, the official charity assisting Marathon bombing victims
Boston's Prudential Building lit up in honor of the One Fund, the official charity assisting Marathon bombing victims (Twitter)
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A memorial service for 23-year-old Boston University graduate student Lu Lingzi, one of three victims killed at the Marathon, was held at the school and attended by hundreds of people, including Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

"She's gone but our memories of her are very much alive," said her father, Lu Jun, who spoke in his native tongue and was followed by an English interpreter. "An ancient Chinese saying says every child is actually a little Buddha that helps their parents mature and grow up."

A funeral takes place today for slain MIT officer Sean Collier. He was shot to death in his patrol car after a confrontation with the Tsarnaeva brothers that started a day long manhunt on Friday.

Next Step For Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

Surveilliance shot of Dzhokar Tsarnaev at an ATM machine before manhunt
Surveilliance shot of Dzhokar Tsarnaev at an ATM machine before manhunt (WCVB TV via Twitter)
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The next step in the legal process against Tsarnaev is likely to be an indictment, in which federal prosecutors could add new charges. State prosecutors have said they expect to charge Tsarnaev separately in the killing of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer who was shot in his cruiser Thursday night on the campus in Cambridge.

After Tsarnaev is indicted in the bombing, he will have an arraignment in federal court, when he will be asked to enter a plea.

Under federal law, as a defendant charged with a crime that carries a potential death penalty, he is entitled to at least one lawyer who is knowledgeable about the law in capital cases. Federal Public Defender Miriam Conrad, whose office has been asked to represent Tsarnaev, filed a motion Monday asking that two death penalty lawyers be appointed to represent Tsarnaev, "given the magnitude of this case."

A probable cause hearing — at which prosecutors will spell out the basics of their case — was set for May 30. According to a clerk's notes of Monday's proceedings in the hospital, U.S. Magistrate Judge Marianne Bowler indicated she was satisfied that Tsarnaev was "alert and able to respond to the charges."

Tsarnaev did not speak during Monday's proceeding, except to answer "no" when he was asked if he could afford his own lawyer, according to the notes. He nodded when asked if he was able to answer some questions and whether he understood his rights.


The Associated Press contributed to this story

 

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