Photo Credit: The Week.com

By: Hank Epton

From a hospital bed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical?Center, Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev made his first court appearance on Monday, facing multiple federal charges that could result in the death penalty if convicted.

Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar?Tsarnaev was charged with one count of using and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction and one count of malicious destruction of property with an explosive device.

The White House says the 19 year-old Tsarnaev will be tried in civilian court for the April 15 attacks that killed three people and injured more than 170 people.

The charges end speculation that Tsarnaev could be declared an enemy combatant, a position advocated by Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Rep. Peter King (R-NY) and other GOP lawmakers.

Since his arrest on Friday, Tsarvaev has been communicating with law enforcement by writing. He suffered a gunshot wound to the throat that has prohibited him from verbally communicating with authorities.

Dzhokhar’s older brother, 26 year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed early Friday morning in a gunfight with police that sparked a dramatic day-long manhunt that culminated in Dzhokhar’s arrest.

According to court records, Tsarnaev agreed to voluntary detention at the bedside hearing. A probable cause hearing is set for May 30.

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Editor: SB

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