The Boston Marathon is always a day for gathering and enjoyment in the city, even since the horrific events that occurred there in 2013.
This year though, the jurors of the upcoming Dzhokhar Tsarnaev trail have been told avoid the marathon or any related community events, according to CNN.
"Do not attend the Boston Marathon or any events or gatherings related to the anniversary or the current running of the Boston Marathon," federal Judge George A. O'Toole O'Toole told the jury. "Please put the case out of your minds. Enjoy the warm weather."
O'Toole warned the jury about this during a quick ten minute speech, CNN reported.
His reasoning is simple. Attendance at events related to the marathon might be seen as "prejudicial," which could potentially be used in court by Tsarnaev's defense to argue the sentencing.
This year's Boston Marathon takes place when it always does, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday in April. It just so happens that a day later on April 21, Tsarnaev's sentencing trial begins. The first phase of Tsarnaev's trial came to a conclusion last Wednesday, April 8, when he was found guilty of all 30 charges he faced - 17 of which carry the death penalty. The same jury will decide his sentencing.
