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Relief and closure: #BostonBombing verdict reaction

Social media users expressed a sense of relief over the verdict in the Dzhokhar Tsarnaev case, nearly two years to the day after the Boston Marathon bombing.

Social media users expressed a sense of relief over the verdict in the Dzhokhar Tsarnaev case, nearly two years to the day after the deadly Boston Marathon bombings.

A jury showed no mercy to the 21-year-old, who sat stone-faced in the courtroom on Wednesday while the decisions came down. They delivered a sweep of guilty verdicts on all 30 charges related to the gruesome April 15, 2013 attacks, which killed three people and left more than 250 injured, many with lost limbs. Tsarnaev could now face the death penalty.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker applauded the jury on Twitter.

In a Facebook post, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said he’s “thankful that this phase of the trial has come to an end” and hopeful the verdict gave survivors and families “a small amount of closure.”

STATEMENT OF MARTIN J. WALSH ON BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING VERDICT I am thankful that this phase of the trial has come to...

Posted by Marty Walsh on Wednesday, April 8, 2015

For Jeff Bauman, today’s verdict was a “relief, and one step closer to closure.” He lost two legs in the blast and testified against Tsarnaev. Fellow Boston bombing victim also weighed in.

Official statement from Jeffrey: “Today’s verdict will never replace the lives that were lost and so dramatically changed, but it is a relief, and one step closer to closure.”

Posted by Jeff Bauman -- Boston Strong, True Patriot and Hero on Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Fellow survivor Sydney Corcoran commended the jury, though wasn't surprised by the all-guilty outcome.

The family of slain MIT officer Sean Collier released a statement on the Tsarnaev verdict, according to the Boston Globe: “While today’s verdict can never bring Sean back, we are thankful that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will be held accountable for the evil that he brought to so many families.”

Under the banner of #BostonStrong, some users urged fellows on social media to focus on remembering the victims, not Tsarnaev, including attorney Christine Pelosi, daughter of Rep. Nancy Pelosi.

Local officials from Massachuetts and neighboring New Hampshire showed their support on social media. 

The conversation appears to be shifting to the what happens next: Will it be the death penalty?

 As early as next week, the jury could begin hearing testimony in the penalty phase of the case.