Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley (at podium) speaks to local and national media on the bombings at the Boston Marathon. Also shown are (from left) US Sen. Elizabeth Warren, State Police Col. Timothy Alben, Gov. Deval Patrick,US Attorney Carmen Ortiz, MBTA Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan, Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis, FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers, and Boston Fire Commissioner Roderick Frazer.
Shortly after the explosions of two devices at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley responded to the scene and assigned three top prosecutors to the investigation. Each has extensive experience in violent death probes and each has coordinated many times in the past with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Though the bombing investigation is being led by the FBI, Suffolk prosecutors are on hand to take on any state-level proceedings arising out of the case.
In the aftermath of the explosions, Conley addressed the public twice, delivering the following remarks at a command post located in the Westin Copley Hotel.
April 15, 2013:
“Earlier this afternoon, like so many Bostonians, I was on Boylston Street near the finish line and left about 30 minutes before this incident occurred. And a short time ago, Commissioner Davis, myself, Special Agent in Charge DesLauriers, Colonel Alben, and our top staff returned to the scene. It was a large and disturbing scene.
“Like each of you, I’m praying for the victims and their loved ones. This is a terrible, terrible day for them. They and the public at large can count on our very best and most seamless work in the days to come.
“Seconds after those bombs went off, we saw civilians running to help the victims right alongside members of the Boston Police Department and Boston EMS. And in the hours that followed, police and medical personnel from across the region have sent dozens, maybe even hundreds, of volunteers to help us here in Boston.
“That’s what Americans do in times of crisis. We come together and we help one another. Moments like these, as terrible as they are, don’t show our weakness. They show our strength.”
April 16, 2013:
“What occurred yesterday in Boston was an act of cowardice. While there will be an opportunity in the future at the conclusion of the investigation to officially define this act, make no mistake – it cannot be justified or explained. It can only be answered.
“To that end, some of the finest investigators in Boston, in Massachusetts, and in the nation have been working through the night not only to conduct interviews and process the scene, but to ensure that those interviews are legally sound and that the evidence is recovered with the greatest care. At the same time, police and other law enforcement agencies have been actively working to ensure the safety of our city.
“The loss we’ve suffered is enormous. But thanks to the efforts of EMT’s, police, firefighters, volunteers, and of course, the medical staff at Boston’s world class hospitals, we can say with absolute certainty that many more lives were saved. For this we can all give thanks.
“In the days and weeks to come, we will do our best to keep the public and the media apprised of the progress of our work. It is important, however, that for the sake of these victims and this city that our investigators be given room to do their jobs so the truth can be found.
“Moments like this, and our response to them, define who we are. In the past 24 hours, this city has shown its strength, its courage, its compassion, and its determination to see justice done.”
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