Boston bombing trial gets underway

Lawyers for the man accused of bombing the 2013 Boston Marathon say he did plant the explosives, but jurors should spare him the death sentence.

An artist's sketch of defence lawyer Judy Clarke delivering the opening statement to the jury.

Lawyers for the man accused of bombing the 2013 Boston Marathon say he did plant the explosives, but jurors should spare him the death sentence.

The surprise comments came as the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev got underway in a United States federal court packed with survivors, victims and the media.

Sacha Payne has more.

(Click on the audio tab above to hear the report)