Friends of Boston Marathon Bomber Face Sentencing

In this courtroom sketch, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, right, and defense attorney Judy Clarke are depicted watching evidence displayed on a monitor during his federal death penalty trial Monday, March 9, 2015, in Boston. (Jane Flavell Collins via AP)

BOSTON—Former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis has written a letter of support for a friend of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (joh-HAHR‘ tsahr-NEYE’-ehv) as a judge prepares to sentence him for lying to the FBI days after the 2013 bombings.

Robel Phillipos is one of two Tsarnaev friends scheduled to be sentenced Friday.

Dukakis, a friend of Phillipos’ family, testified during his trial. In a letter to Judge Douglas Woodlock, Dukakis said he “can’t understand why justice would be served by incarcerating him.”

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Azamat Tazhayakov (AZ‘-maht tuh-ZAY’-uh-kahv) also faces sentencing Friday. Tazhayakov was convicted of obstruction of justice and conspiracy for removing Tsarnaev’s backpack and laptop computer from his dorm room with another friend.

Prosecutors have recommended a 4-year sentence for Tazhayakov. They haven’t said what kind of sentence they’re seeking for Phillipos.