Heather Abbott

Heather Abbott testified for the prosecution on Day 51 about being injured at the Forum restaurant and choosing amputation after attempts to save her left foot. During direct examination by Steven D. Mellin, she described hearing the first explosion at the entrance and being thrown through the open doors by the second. Severe foot pain prevented her from running; bystanders carried her into an alley, and EMTs evacuated her through the restaurant after a belt tourniquet was applied.

Abbott said surgeons at Brigham and Women's made three attempts to salvage her foot. Her surgeon recommended below-knee amputation and explained the limitations and further procedures associated with retaining the leg. After consulting veterans with similar blast injuries, she chose amputation, describing the decision as probably the hardest she had faced. She reported four leg surgeries, an eardrum procedure, and use of a prosthetic leg.

Abbott acknowledged uncertainty about how long she remained in the alley, where the tourniquet was placed, and events after she entered the hospital. She identified herself and friends in the already admitted Exhibit 2101 and identified people in additional photographs. The Court admitted Government Exhibits 1653 through 1657 and 1659 through 1669 after the defense referred to its previous objection. Her testimony addressed injury and lasting consequences rather than identifying a perpetrator or explaining motive.

At sentencing, a statement identifying Abbott described reduced independence, continuing nerve pain, and substantial prosthetic costs. The transcript attributes the statement to Nadine Pellegrini and does not establish who delivered it.