Rolling Stone Responds To Marathon Bomber Cover Controversy

Rolling Stone says its cover story on Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev falls within the traditions of journalism and the magazine's commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage.

The cover is a photo in which Tsarnaev looks more like a rock star than a suspect in a bombing. A preview on the magazine's website says the story traces how "a bright kid with a charming future became a monster."

Rolling Stone editors say in a statement that Tsarnaev is in the same age group as many of its readers, making it important for the magazine to examine the complexities of the issue.

Both the CVS pharmacy chain and Rockland, Mass.-based convenience store chain Tedeschi Food Shops say they won't carry the magazine.

Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty.

[Associated Press]