There are many dates that will live in infamy for American history. The original of Dec. 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor. Nov. 22, 1963: The assassination of Kennedy. 9/11. April 15, 2013 – the day of the Boston bombings, and the day in which the people of America were forced to come together yet again to cope with tragedy. While now in the past, it continues to affect those who endured it.

However, its story is not yet over. Dzhokar Tsarnaev, the survivor of the two brothers who are the suspects of the bombing, is now undergoing jury selection for his trial. In Boston. The city where the crime took place with jurors from Boston.

The crime and the effect that it had on the people of Boston are both terrible and undeniable. However, as Tsarnaev’s lawyers have pointed out, the trial may not really be impartial if it is held in the city in which the terrorism took place. Regardless of whether or not Tsarnaev is guilty, the trial is in America. That means, theoretically, even if Tsarnaev is guilty, he is due, under American law, practice, and doctrine, a fair trial in which he will not be convicted merely on prejudice.

Boston wants someone to blame so that it can gain some final closure and move on, an end which may still be some time away due to the lengthy trial ahead, which is projected to take at least three months before conclusion. But this does not justify legal practice that would, in essence, strip any hope of an impartial jury away from the proceedings. Tsarnaev is charged with 30 crimes, 17 of which could be punishable by death. The potential of an impartial jury looms large for his fate.

The selection process will likely take a few more weeks to complete, and the trial itself may not even begin until February. As this process continues, the attention of both the nation and the world will remain on the outcome and what it would mean for justice as these judicial values come into conflict with a desire to end Boston’s pain.