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11/22/2024 04:50:02 am

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Man Allegedly Carjacked by Tsarnaev Brothers Testifies in Boston Marathon Bombing Trial

dzhokhar tsarnaev

(Photo : Reuters) A still image from surveillance video entered as evidence shows Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, in this handout photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston, Massachusetts on March 11, 2015.

More revelations emerge as the trial into the Boston Marathon bombing entered its sixth day.

A man who claimed to have been victimized by the accused, the Tsarnaev brothers, took the witness stand as he recalled his terrifying encounter with the two brothers.

Dun Meng, an entrepreneur from China, said he was carjacked by Tamerlan Tsarnaev, days after the April 2013 bombing that killed three people and injured more than 260 others. 

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The carjacking started when Meng pulled his leased Mercedes SUV over on a Boston road to check a text message.  A sedan pulled up behind him, then a man he later identified as Tamerlan Tsarnaev approached the passenger side. 

At first, Meng thought that Tsarnaev would be asking for directions, but when he rolled down the window, Tsarnaev reached to unlock the door and forced his way in. 

"He pointed the gun to me. Right to my head. He asked for money,'' Meng told the US District Court.

The gunman even asked Meng if he knew anything about the Boston Marathon bombing, then the man blurted out, "I did it."  Meng told the court. 

Tamerlan Tsarnaev ordered Meng to drive around about for 20-30 minutes - the longest half hour of his life.  He recalled being so horrified that he may not be able to get out of the car alive.

During the ride, Tamerlan admitted to Meng that he had just shot a policeman in Cambridge, an hour and half earlier.  Moments later, both vehicles - the Mercedes SUV and the sedan, stopped over in nearby Watertown.  There, the brothers, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar loaded some items into the Mercedes SUV, then Dzokhar joined them in. 

The ride continued but they made several stops along the way, including an ATM station, where Meng's bank card was used to withdraw money.  Meng was also allowed to take a call from a friend, but was warned by Tamerlan that he'd kill him on the spot if he'd speak in Chinese. 

Meng made his daring escape when they pulled over a convenience store where Dzhokhar Tsarnaev got some snacks.  Meng figured it was the best time for him to escape as Tamerlan was the only one with him who wasn't holding the gun at that time.

Meng bolted out, as Tamerlan tried to grab him.  But Meng managed to run to a neaby gasoline station where a staff called 911.   Seconds later the police arrived.   

"It's a very tough time for me. Every time I recall this, it is the most terrifying moment,'' Meng said. "The most difficult decision of my life.''

That escape led to Tamerlan being killed in a shootout with police and Dzhokhar eventually arrested. 

Dzhokar Tsarnaev had pleaded not guilty to 30 charges filed against him - 17 of which are punishable by death. 

At the beginning of the trial, Tsarnaev's lawyers admitted, their client committed the crime, but argued he was only influenced by his brother Tamerlan.

The trial resumes on Monday.

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