Denise Richard

Denise Richard appeared in photographic evidence and testimony about the bombing outside the Forum restaurant. Michelle Gamble identified her in a photograph showing the Richard family near the blast site. Her husband, William Richard, testified that she lost sight in one eye and underwent emergency surgery at Beth Israel Hospital. He also described her telephone call telling him that their son Martin had died. During the penalty phase, Stephen Woolfenden recalled Denise beside Martin, repeatedly pleading with him. He said she briefly asked whether Woolfenden was okay before returning her attention to her son. Woolfenden identified her in video clips, while the court stopped questions interpreting Martin's movements and stated that the video spoke for itself.

When prosecutors proposed introducing three family photographs of Martin, they told the court Denise would not testify; the court found the proposed foundation adequate. In his penalty-phase closing argument, Steven Mellin invoked her injuries and her experience beside Martin as part of the government's argument for a death sentence. At sentencing, William delivered a statement introduced for both parents. He said they had preferred a life sentence and described their response to the attack as choosing love, kindness, and peace.