10 Questions The FBI Should Ask Boston Bomber Widow Katherine Russell
May 2 2013, Published 7:03 a.m. ET
As three teenagers were arrested on Wednesday and charged in connection with the Boston Marathon bombing investigation, the prime suspect's widow, Katherine Russell, continues to be a focus for the FBI, and RadarOnline.com has exclusive details on what their line of questioning will include.
While it has not yet been confirmed whether the 24-year-old widow of Tamerlan Tsarnaev has been officially interviewed by federal agents, her Rhode Island attorney Amato DeLuca informed RadarOnline.com via an email statement:
"In the coming days, Katherine will continue to meet with law enforcement, as she has done for many hours over the past week, and provide as much assistance to the investigation as she can."
Meanwhile, Nancy Savage, Executive Director of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI has shed light on the broad range of questions that Russell will face — and when and where that could be.
"They could do the interview anywhere, it can happen in a home, at a lawyer's office, at the U.S. District Attorney's office, at the FBI office or in a hotel room," she explained.
"It could have been done already, or could be delayed if her attorney is still deciding the 'where and when.' The only time an interview is compelled is if it is before the grand jury or congress," the former FBI agent told RadarOnline.com, and she gave insight into what she would ask in a face-to-face interview with the bomber's widow.
1. How did you meet?
2. How long have you known each other?
3. Can you give us background into your relationship?
4. Did you know anything about the plot?
5. Did you notice anything unusual?
6. Did you notice any changes in your husband?
7. Can you identify any friends or associates who may have been involved?
8. Do you know anything about the trip to Russia or any other cities he may have visited there?
9. Are there any other family members who may have been involved?
10. Is there any knowledge or information that you may have overheard indirectly?
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There is nothing to suggest that Katherine, a health aide worker who relatives say was "blindsided" by her husband's involvement in the terror plot, is resisting aiding the investigation, and Savage said she would "recommend her cooperating as much as possible.
"It is always to someone's benefit and to the public's benefit to be a sharp-shooter, especially if you have any information that may help the investigation or bring someone to justice in a terrorism case," she explained. "It may save lives, you don't want to withhold material details."
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, on Monday, federal agents visited the Russell family home in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, after female DNA was found on at least one of the bombs in the deadly blast. They later left carrying a number of bags, including one that was clear plastic with “DNA” stamped on the side.
The three additional suspects taken into custody have been named as Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev, both 19 and originally from Kazakhstan, but now living in New Bedford, Massachusetts; and Robel Phillipos, 19, of Cambridge.
Tazhayakov and Kadyrbayev were charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice by plotting to dispose of a laptop computer and a backpack containing fireworks belonging to bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the US attorney’s office said in a statement. Phillipos has been charged with making false statements to law enforcement officials in a terrorism investigation.
All three were, or had been, students at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where Dzhokhar, 19, was also a student.