Latest on Boston bombing trial: Cop describes grave injuries

Wccb Charlotte Sept 2025 Icon 512x512

10 A.M.

A Boston police officer is describing the grave injuries suffered by a woman who was killed when the first of two bombs exploded at the 2013 marathon.

Frank Chiola (KEE’-oh-lah) testified Thursday in the trial of marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (joh-HAHR’ tsahr-NEYE’-ehv) that he was the first officer to reach 29-year-old Krystle Campbell. He says he ran across the street to help victims as soon as he heard the explosion.

Chiola says smoke came out of Campbell’s mouth as he tried to give her chest compressions. He says she appeared to be in a lot of pain.

Campbell was one of three people killed after twin bombs exploded at the marathon. More than 260 people were wounded.

___

9:40 A.M.

Lawyers for Tsarnaev say survivors of the attacks shouldn’t have been allowed to give such gruesome testimony, but the judge disagrees.

Defense attorney David Bruck is objecting to the extent of testimony Wednesday from three women who described their injuries in detail and what they saw on the day of the 2013 attack.

Bruck said Thursday that under the federal death penalty law, victim impact testimony is supposed to be presented during the second phase of the trial when the jury decides punishment.

Prosecutors say the survivors simply described what they saw.

Judge George O’Toole Jr. agreed with prosecutors and denied the motion to limit survivors’ testimony.

Boston police Officer Frank Chiola has taken the stand as the first witness Thursday.