Watch CBS News

Boston Marathon Bombing Update: Condition of surviving suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev upgraded from serious to fair

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev AP Photo/Bob Leonard

(CBS/AP) BOSTON - The condition of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, has been upgraded from serious to fair.

PICTURES: Boston bombing victimsPICTURES: Boston Marathon bombing suspects

Tsarnaev was in serious condition on Sunday but reportedly upgraded to fair on Tuesday. According to reports he is recuperating from bullet wounds in the neck, head, legs and hands at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Although he is unable to speak, he has been communicating with authorities by writing on paper. His answers led them to believe he and his brother were motivated by religious extremism but appeared to have no major terrorist group connections, said U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.

On Monday the 19-year-old was charged with carrying out the bombing with his older brother by using and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction.

A probable cause hearing - at which prosecutors will spell out the basics of their case - was set for May 30. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev could face the death penalty.

Complete coverage of Boston Marathon bombings on Crimesider

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.