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Boston magazine publishes more photos of bombing suspect Tsarnaev

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev UPI
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev UPI | License Photo

BOSTON, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Boston magazine published more photos of the manhunt and capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the man suspected in the Boston Marathon bombings with his brother.

The magazine said it published the additional photos taken by Massachusetts State Police tactical photographer Sgt. Sean Murphy after Murphy complained of how Tsarnaev was portrayed in a glamour shot on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

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The photos in "Behind the Scenes of The Hunt for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev," available at Boston magazine's website (http://www.bostonmagazine.com/) Wednesday, offered another glimpse at law enforcement actions during the search for Tsarnaev in Watertown April 19. Other photos in the essay show a bloodied Tsarnaev emerging from a boat where he had been holed up before capture and law enforcement officials treating Tsarnaev for his injuries, including a reported gunshot wound to the mouth.

"I hope that the people who see these images will know that this was real," Murphy told Boston magazine. "It was as real as it gets."

Murphy wasn't authorized to release the photos and was suspended without pay for a day as well as assigned to desk duty, Boston magazine said. He was later transferred to the state police barracks in Athol, where he was assigned the overnight shift.

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State police officials told WFXT-TV, Boston, Murphy's transfer was an extension of his transfer to the field, not a demotion or punishment.

"Because the allegation he faces is germane to his former role in media relations, the department confiscated his department-issued photography equipment," State Police spokesman Dave Procopio said. "He is under investigation for possibly violating departmental policy and regulations by releasing departmental material obtained in his media relations position without authorization."

Procopio said Murphy retained his sergeant's rank, pay and benefits. He said Murphy could bid for a different shift when the new bid cycle comes around.

State police did not comment on the additional photos, WFXT said.

Tsarnaev, 20, pleaded not guilty in the twin bombings that killed three and injured 260. He also is accused of killing Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer Sean Collier while trying to evade capture three days later.

Tsarnaev escaped from police following a shootout in the Boston suburb of Watertown that day, during which he ran over his brother and alleged co-conspirator, Tamerlan, who died of injuries sustained in the confrontation.

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