The Daily Free Press
Year xliii. Volume lxxxiv. Issue XLIX
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Tuesday, April 23, 2013 The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University
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www.dailyfreepress.com
KING OFF THE HILL
CLEAN SLATES SG election will be the first contested election in 2 years, page 3.
Outfielder Haley King helps softball hit its stride, page 8.
WEATHER
Today: Showers/High 46 Tonight: Rain/Low 44 Tomorrow: 74/49
Data Courtesy of weather.com
Tsarnaev charged, used weapons of mass destruction SG passes House of By Kyle Plantz Daily Free Press Staff
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings, is being charged with using a weapon of mass destruction against people and property resulting in three deaths and more than 200 injuries. “Although our investigation is ongoing, today’s charges bring a successful end to a tragic week for the city of Boston, and for our country,” said U.S. Attorney Gen. Eric Holder in a Monday press release. “We will hold those who are responsible for these heinous acts accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” Tsarnaev is specifically charged with one count of using and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction and one count of malicious destruction of property by means of an explosive device resulting in death, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday by FBI Special Agent Daniel Genck. The devices were placed near the metal barriers separating the runners from the spectators and each explosion killed, maimed, burned or wounded many people in addition to damaging public property, according to the complaint. Using videotape footage from a security camera at the Forum Restaurant on Boylston Street, Genck said in the complaint that he saw Tsarnaev stop in front of the restaurant and then slip his backpack onto the ground at about 2:45 p.m. He stood by his backpack for about four minutes and looked at his cell phone to take a picture.
“Approximately 30 seconds before the first explosion, he lifts his phone to his ear as if he is speaking on his cellphone, and keeps it there for approximately 18 seconds,” Genck wrote in the affidavit. “A few seconds after he finishes the call, the large crowd of people around him can be seen reacting to the first explosion.” Genck said in the complaint that Tsarnaev walked away from his backpack and, about 10 seconds later, the second explosion occurred where his backpack was left. The affidavit does not mention Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, killing Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department officer Sean Collier late Thursday night. It continued with the sighting of the Tsarnaev brothers at about midnight when they carjacked an individual at gunpoint. The victim told police that a man entered his vehicle and stated, “Did you hear about the Boston explosions?” and “I did that.” The man with the gun forced the victim to drive to another location, where they picked up a second man, according to the affidavit. The two men and the victim drove to a gas station and when the two men got out of the car, the victim escaped. The stolen vehicle was located in Watertown by law enforcement and as the men drove away, a violent gun exchange ensued between the police and the Tsarnaev brothers, according to the complaint. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was wounded, taken into custody and later died. After evading police for nearly 24 hours,
Reps. to foster, hear student body voice By Rachel Riley Daily Free Press Staff
PHOTO COURTESY OF MASS. STATE POLICE TWITTER
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Suspect #2 in the Boston Marathon bombings, is now being charged for using a weapon of mass destruction.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found in a covered boat in Watertown. Tsarnaev was eventually removed from the boat and searched. A University of Massachusetts Dartmouth identification card, credit cards and other forms of identification were found in his pockets. He had injuries and gunshot wounds to the head, neck, legs and hand, according to the affidavit. The FBI searched Tsarnaev’s dormitory at UMass Dartmouth and seized a large pyrotechnic, a black jacket and a white hat of the same appearance as those seen in photographs and videos of him at the Boston
Suspect, see page 2
In debate, Markey, Lynch spar on security 1 week after bombing By Jasper Craven Daily Free Press Staff
U.S. senatorial candidates Ed Markey and Stephen Lynch squared off Monday in the final debate before the Democratic primary, addressing the security of Massachusetts and of the nation in wake of the terrorist attack that rocked the Boston Marathon. Both Markey and Lynch said they agreed on the importance of homeland security, and claimed their voting records showed their support for the issue in the WBZ/Boston Globe debate, which was hosted by Jon Keller, a political analyst for WBZ, and Cynthia Needham, political editor at the Boston Globe. “I would continue to do what I have been doing on homeland security issues,” Lynch said. He stressed the importance of the Joint Terrorism Task Force — the as-
sembly of law enforcement agents tasked with finding the Marathon bombers — and accused Markey of voting against the creation of the JTTF. Markey shot back, recounting his seven years on the Congressional Committee of Homeland Security, and said the only reason he would vote against security legislation was that it was not strong enough. “I am the principal author of the legislation intended to make sure rail security remains in our country,” Markey said, alluding to a plot, apparently al-Qaeda-backed, to blow up a rail line between Canada and the U.S. The plot was uncovered by the Canadian government Monday. Surveillance cameras proved a key role in helping identify and track down the suspects in the marathon bombings, and Markey and Lynch agreed that increased video
surveillance in Boston is now necessary. Lynch said he has voted for measures to amplify the surveillance presence on Amtrak trains coming into South Station in Boston. “Appropriately used, cameras can be helpful,” Lynch said. Markey also said public surveillance was appropriate in the wake of the bombings, and that federal homeland security spending should pay for these measures. Both candidates agreed that U.S. President Barack Obama’s decision to prosecute Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in a U.S court of law, not as an enemy combatant, was the right decision. “I believe that president Obama and his Justice Department are completely committed in ensuring justice will be done in debate, see page 2
Boston University Student Government members passed a proposal adding a House of Representatives consisting of representatives from student groups across campus to its current structure at Monday’s senate meeting. Brownstone Residence Hall Association President Marc Salerno, who created the proposal, said the House will allow students who are not already represented in the senate to have their voices heard. “If it is implemented properly, it’s the biggest outreach program you could possibly ask for,” Salerno, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore, said. “It gets everybody involved that can be involved.” The proposed House of Representatives will be made up of students from student groups recognized by the Student Activities Office. In addition, the proposal also added four additional members to the current Executive Board. Under the new plan, SG’s executive board must include the SG Senate Chair, the SG Speaker of the House, the College Government Chair, the President of the Overarching Executive Counsel and the Residence Hall Association Overarching Executive Counsel. Salerno said his plan will legitimize SG by fostering student support and by creating a forum for dialogue about issues important to students across BU’s campus. “Everybody should be able to discuss their issues, because that’s what Student Government is about,” Salerno said. “It’s about being the funnel for all the voices, not just a select few.” SG Executive Vice President Lauren LaVelle said it will take time to figure out the logistics of the new plan. “The concept is a good idea,” LaVelle, a School of Management junior, said. “It’s going to take a lot of work and dedication to implement this efficiently and effectively.” SG also passed a proposal Monday night, originally presented by DivestBU during an SG meeting on April 8, recommending that BU officials no longer invest the endowment in fossil fuel companies. The proposal stated that SG recommends the BU Committee on Socially Responsible Investments, once chartered, should consid-
SG, see page 2
Lingzi Lu’s promising life commemorated by friends, family, BU community By Margaret Waterman Daily Free Press Staff
MAYA DEVERAUX/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
Students line up to make donations Monday evening at the George Sherman Union Link toward those who are suffering from a recent earthquake in China during the memorial to honor Lingzi Lu, the Boston University graduate student from China who died in the Boston Marathon bombings.
Family, friends and Boston University officials gathered Monday night to honor the late Lingzi Lu in what BU Reverend Robert Allen Hill described as a “convergence of all the concentric circles” that made up Lu’s life. “Today this university’s arms are long enough to embrace the whole globe, and its heart is close enough to feel the heartfelt pain associated with losing one of us,” Hill said, addressing the crowd. “Your presence matters. May this service bring some quiet assurance to each one of us.” Lu, passed away at just 23 years old Monday during the explosions that shook the crowd of spectators near the finish line of the 117th Boston Marathon. BU President Robert Brown and Zhong Ruiming, deputy consul general of the People’s Republic of China for New York were among the speakers at Monday night’s memorial. About 300 spectators, including
Lu’s extended family, Lu’s professors and Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick, filled Metcalf Hall. Brown said the Lu Lingzi Scholarship Fund, established in Lu’s honor, will ensure her bright future is not lost. “Our astronomers tell us that when a star dies, its light continues to travel across time and continues to reach out,” he said. “This scholarship, because it is endowed, will provide opportunities for future students like Lingzi.” Zheng Minhui, a first-year Graduate School of Arts and Sciences student and one of Lu’s classmates, said she remembered Lu as a role model and sweet person. She said Lu went to bed early,woke up early and would always be the first to arrive for class. “Thank you so much for bringing us sweetness, happiness, your lovely stories and your beautiful smiles,” she said. “... We will love and miss you forever. We are still
Memorial, see page 2