Defense in Boston Marathon bombing case could try putting suspect's dead brother on trial

FILE - This combination of file photos shows brothers Tamerlan, left, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, 2013. Lawyers for Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev are pinning their best hopes for saving his life on his dead older brother, Tamerlan. The defense is expected to portray Tamerlan Tsarnaev as the mastermind behind the twin explosions that killed 3 people and wounded more than 260 near the finish line of the 2013 race. He died days later after a gun battle with police. (AP Photos/Lowell Sun and FBI, File) (The Associated Press)

Lawyers for Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (joh-HAHR' tsahr-NEYE'-ehv) are pinning their best hopes for saving his life on his dead older brother.

The defense is expected to portray Tamerlan Tsarnaev as the mastermind behind the twin explosions that killed 3 people and wounded more than 260 near the finish line of the 2013 race. He died days later after a gun battle with police.

Dzhokhar's lawyers have made it clear they plan to argue that he was heavily influenced by his older brother. If convicted, he could get the death penalty.

Jury selection in the trial is set to continue Monday. No date has been set yet for the start of testimony.