U.S. authorities say they expect a decision by late January on whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty for accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
By the end of October, officials said, federal prosecutors plan to decide whether the death penalty should be pursued.
According to the officials, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will make the final decision about 90 days after that, or by late January.
Defense lawyers have appealed for more time to argue against the death penalty.
Prosecutors say Tsarnaev, 20, and his older brother Tamerlan planted two pressure-cooker bombs near the finish line of the marathon on April 15.
The twin blasts killed three people and injured more than 260.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev died days later in a shoot-out with police.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev pleaded not guilty to the bombing charges in July.
By the end of October, officials said, federal prosecutors plan to decide whether the death penalty should be pursued.
According to the officials, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will make the final decision about 90 days after that, or by late January.
Defense lawyers have appealed for more time to argue against the death penalty.
Prosecutors say Tsarnaev, 20, and his older brother Tamerlan planted two pressure-cooker bombs near the finish line of the marathon on April 15.
The twin blasts killed three people and injured more than 260.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev died days later in a shoot-out with police.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev pleaded not guilty to the bombing charges in July.