According to testimony by the surgeon who operated on accused Boston MarathonbomberDzhokhar Tsarnaev, the 20-year-old suffered severe injuries, including "several" gunshot wounds, a fractured skull and a small vascular injury.
During an Apr. 22 court proceeding, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center trauma surgeon Dr. Stephen Ray Odom provided an in-depth explanation of Tsarnaev's injuries. NBC News provided transcripts from the recently unsealed court documents:
"He has multiple gunshot wounds, the most severe of which appears to have entered through the left side inside of his mouth and exited the left face, lower face. This was a high-powered injury that has resulted in skull-base fracture, with injuries to the middle ear, the skull base, the lateral portion of his C1 vertebrae, with a significant soft-tissue injury, as well as injury to the pharynx, the mouth, and a small vascular injury that’s been treated.
Odom added that Tsarnaev was aware of his surroundings, as well as the injuries to his hand and neck. He was also able to respond verbally to questions.
In July, Tsarnaev pleaded not guilty to a 30-count indictment; 17 of the counts carry the death penalty. He will return to court in September and prosecutors say the trial could last up to four months.
[via Gawker and NBC News]
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