PUBLIC OPINION: Boston Residents Favor Life Without Parole for Suspect in Marathon Bombing

A recent poll sponsored by the Boston Globe found that a significant majority of Boston residents favor life without parole over the death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bombing suspect. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of respondents supported a sentence of life without parole if Tsarnaev is convicted, compared with only 33% who favored the death penalty. Sixty-one (61) percent of Democrats and 49% of Republicans (a plurality) supported a sentence of life without parole. The option was endorsed by men and women, across all educational levels, and among white, black, and Hispanic respondents. The poll was conducted September 5−12 by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Although the death penalty is not available under Massachusetts law, Tsarnaev is facing federal charges. No decision has been made yet on whether the government will seek the death penalty.

(B. MacQuarrie, “In Globe poll, most favor life term for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev,” Boston Globe, September 16, 2013). See Public Opinion and Federal Death Penalty.