BOSTON, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A lawyer for a friend of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev says emotions may be running too high in Boston for his client to get a fair trial.
Azamat Tazhayakov, 19, is one of three college friends charged with helping Tsarnaev hide evidence by throwing away his laptop computer and backpack. Nicholas Wooldridge, his lawyer, said Tuesday he is considering seeking a change of venue that would move the trial out of Boston, the Boston Herald reported.
"Bostonians are very smart people, but sometimes you can be very logical, but emotions sometimes override logic," Wooldridge said.
Bombs left near the Marathon finish line on April 15 killed three people and injured more than 250. Some of those hurt in the blasts lost limbs.
On Tuesday, Wooldridge asked a federal judge to end a "protective order" that bars lawyers from discussing the case. He argued the order prevents defense lawyers from giving the public a balanced view of the case.
A federal prosecutor argued the order protects the defendant from "adverse pre-trial publicity." The judge did not make an immediate ruling.
