Boston bomber Tsarnaev apologises to victims in court

Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has apologised to his victims in a federal court hearing where he was formally sentenced to death. "I am sorry for the lives I have taken, for the suffering that I have caused you," he told the injured and bereaved. Earlier on Wednesday, he remained impassive as victims lined up in court to condemn his "cowardly" actions. Tsarnaev and his brother killed three and injured 264 when they bombed the finish line of the marathon in 2013. A police officer was killed during the hunt for the Tsarnaevs. The older brother later died and Tsarnaev was sentenced to death last month but he was formally sentenced by the judge on Wednesday. In his first statements since the start of the trial, the 21-year-old said he listened to all the victims' testimony and noted survivors' strength, patience and dignity. But speaking outside the court following the sentencing, victim Lynne Julian said Tsarnaev's apology was hollow and insincere and that her sense of security is forever changed. "I regret ever wanting to hear him speak," she said. "He showed no remorse." Henry Borgard, who was walking home from work at the time of the bombing, said he forgives Tsarnaev. "To hear he is sorry is enough for me. I hope he was genuine, I have no way of knowing that." Before Tsarnaev spoke in court, several of the injured and bereaved used what was the first opportunity for them to make public their feelings. Ed Fucarile, the father of Marc, who lost his right leg, said: "The first time I saw you in this courtroom, you were smirking at all the victims for your unspeakable cowardly act. You don't seem to be smirking today.'' The sister of Sean Collier, a police officer killed by the brothers in a shoot-out, called Tsarnaev a "leech abusing the privilege of American freedom".