A federal judge has denied a request by lawyers for alleged Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev for more time to prepare a motion for a change of venue.
US District Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. said it was “practicable for the defense to file a timely motion on the present schedule setting forth the factual and legal reasons why a change of venue is necessary or advisable.”
The motion for change of venue is due on Wednesday.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 20, and his late brother, Tamerlan allegedly planted the twin bombs that exploded near the Marathon finish line on April 15, 2013, killing three people and wounding more than 260 others. The brothers also allegedly killed an MIT police officer.
The change of venue motion was initially due Feb. 28, but the defense was granted an extension to Wednesday. The defense recently moved for an extension of another six weeks.
Prosecutors argued in a motion filed today that “any additional delay of the filing date will jeopardize the trial date and waste substantial judicial and taxpayer resources.”