Friend Of Boston Bomb Suspect Released Pending Trial

Three people were killed in the Boston bombings on April 15. (file photo)

A friend of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been released from federal custody while he awaits trial for allegedly lying to federal investigators probing the April 15 bombings.

Robel Phillipos was charged last week and faces up to eight years in prison if convicted.

The 19-year-old was a student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with Tsarnaev.

Phillipos was released under strict conditions, including home confinement, monitoring with an electronic bracelet, and a $100,000 secured bond.

Phillipos is accused of making false statements to FBI agents investigating the April 15 attack that killed three people and injured 264 near the marathon's finish line.

He was not charged with direct involvement in the attack.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP