Marathon Bombing Survivors, Family React To Government's Decision To Seek Death Penalty

BOSTON (CBS) --- The uncle of Norden brothers J.P. and Paul says the government made the right decision in seeking the death penalty against alleged Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

"I knew the decision was coming but I was still surprised," Peter Brown told WBZ-TV.

Related: Government Will Seek The Death Penalty Against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

Brown said seeing his nephews struggle day-to-day makes him supportive of the death penalty.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinions. It's a serious thing, my personal opinion is if you're going to commit this kind of reckless terrorism, you have to be prepared to accept what America decides," Brown said. "I think the U.S. Attorney made the right decision."

Mother and daughter Celeste and Sydney Corcoran, both injured in the bombing released the following statement:

"They have taken enough from us and many others and we trust in the U.S. legal system to do its job. Thank you for respecting our wishes to move on," the statement read.

Krystle Campbell's grandmother, Lillian Campbell, told the Associated Press that she doesn't believe Tsarnaev should live but is unsure about the death penalty.

"I don't know, because it's not going to bring her back," she reportedly told the AP. "I don't even like to discuss it because it makes me so upset. She was my granddaughter and I miss her so much."

Many others survivors have said they do not wish to comment on the government's decision.

WBZ-TV's Jim Armstrong reports

One person personally affected by the bombings and its aftermath, retired State Trooper Sean Murphy, who photographed Tsarnaev's surrender and later released the photos without permission, pushed the focus to the victims.

"It will not bring back Martin Richard or Sean Collier. If it is not warranted for this case, than what case would it be warranted?" he asked.

It's a statement that was echoed by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

"Today, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of Martin Richard, Lingzi Lu, Krystle Campbell, Sean Collier, and the brave survivors whose lives have been forever changed by the events of April 15, 2013," Walsh said. "I can't imagine what they are feeling today. Over the past nine months, the people of Boston have shown the world that we are a city full of heart and courage. We stand together as One Boston in the face of evil and hatred."

Walsh, a death penalty opponent, said that he supports that Attorney General Holder's decision "appropriately applied the law in this case."

Richard Donohue, the MBTA police officer injured in the shootout in Watertown released a statement:

"The announcement made today by the Attorney General reflects an important step in the judicial process. I am confident that various aspects of the law and pertinent information available were weighed in making the decision to pursue the death penalty in the case of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. As we await the trial, I hope all those affected by the events surrounding the Boston Marathon bombings continue to heal both physically and emotionally."

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