Morning Updates: Weep for Amtrak, Celtics Fall, and More
Here are the stories you need to know for this Monday.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s death penalty defense begins in earnest: “The witness list has not been made public, but legal experts expect social and cultural historians as well as relatives to attest to Mr. Tsarnaev’s chaotic family history and dysfunctional family life.’’ (The New York Times)
Support for death penalty for Tsarnaev erodes: Just 15 percent of Boston residents think Tsarnaev should be executed. (The Boston Globe) Four distinct lines of argument have emerged for opponents of the death penalty for Tsarnaev: the “killing is wrong’’ argument, the “just put him away already’’ argument, the “death is too easy’’ argument, and the “Tamerlan was worse’’ argument. (Boston.com)
And another high-profile death penalty case begins: In Colorado, that is. Opening statements start today for James Holmes, accused of killing 12 and injuring 70 at a 2012 mass shooting at an Aurora movie theater. “Lawyers for the gunman, a former neuroscience student at the University of Colorado Denver, have already admitted that he … began firing into the crowd with an assault rifle and a shotgun. But they have argued that he was in the throes of a psychotic episode, and is not guilty by reason of insanity.’’ (The New York Times)
Bye-bye Boston basketball: The Celtics were swept out of the playoffs by the Cavaliers, but not before a physical battle got downright dirty. First, Kelly Olynyk yanked on Kevin Love’s arm, causing a dislocated shoulder. Then J.R. Smith gave a swinging backhand to Jae Crowder’s noggin, earning a flagrant foul. (Boston.com)
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Why America can’t have great trains: “‘If you ever go to Japan,’ former Amtrak board member and rail die-hard Mike Dukakis told me, ‘ride the trains and weep.’
“It’s true: Compared with the high-speed trains of Western Europe and East Asia, American passenger rail is notoriously creaky, tardy, and slow. The Acela, currently the only ‘high-speed’ train in America, runs at an average pace of 68 miles per hour between Washington and Boston; a high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona averages 154 miles per hour.’’ (National Journal)
Sunday night TV: Recaps of Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Silicon Valley, and Veep.
Anxiety hits home: “We have a house guest. His name is Anxiety. He’s unpacked his things and settled right in. He mostly hangs out with my 5-year-old daughter.’’ (Boston.com)
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