Gina Crawford

Gina Crawford testified for the defense on Day 53 about changes she observed in Katherine Tsarnaev, her best friend since elementary school. She described Katherine reading the Qur'an, covering during pregnancy, and increasingly encouraging Crawford to learn about Islam. Crawford said religious discussions became more insistent after Tamerlan returned from Russia, but acknowledged Katherine's own interest and qualified her belief that Tamerlan had suggested it. She did not know why he had traveled to Russia.

Crawford read their April 15, 2013 text exchange and explained that Katherine's reference to deaths in Syria seemed strange in that situation. Two photographs and a summary of that exchange were admitted without objection. She also read unanswered April 19 messages offering support; no admission ruling for that exhibit appears in the record.

The court sustained objections to questions about Crawford's reaction to the brothers' involvement, but allowed testimony about recent changes in Katherine over a relevance objection. Crawford said Katherine's religious discussions and pressure had recently diminished, although she continued to cover. Crawford had met Tamerlan once and did not know Dzhokhar. The prosecution asked no questions, and she was excused.