Summary rosecutors have recommended a 4-year sentence for Tazhayakov
BOSTON (AP) Former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis has written a letter of support for a friend of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev as a judge prepares to sentence him for lying to the FBI days after the 2013 bombings.
Robel Phillipos is one of two Tsarnaev friends scheduled to be sentenced Friday.
Dukakis, a friend of Phillipos family, testified during his trial. In a letter to Judge Douglas Woodlock, Dukakis said he "can t understand why justice would be served by incarcerating him."
Azamat Tazhayakov also faces sentencing Friday. Tazhayakov was convicted of obstruction of justice and conspiracy for removing Tsarnaev s backpack and laptop computer from his dorm room with another friend.
Prosecutors have recommended a 4-year sentence for Tazhayakov. They haven t said what kind of sentence they re seeking for Phillipos.
