Henry Alvarez

Henry Alvarez testified for the defense on Day 58 about his friendship with Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, whom he knew as Jahar through wrestling at Cambridge Rindge and Latin beginning in 2008. Under Timothy Watkins's questioning, he recalled a kind, relaxed, funny teammate who encouraged others during difficult practices. He described Tsarnaev becoming co-captain, returning to help at practices after graduation, and attending Alvarez's senior night at his invitation. His account contrasted their school experiences with Tsarnaev's bombing involvement, without explaining how or why that involvement occurred.

Three defense photographs were admitted, including one whose relevance the prosecution questioned. Alvarez initially denied discussing religion with Tsarnaev, then recalled a conversation concerning pepperoni pizza. He characterized his explanation for the coach's choice of Tsarnaev as a guess. The judge barred a question about what Tsarnaev said about his brother but allowed Alvarez to describe sensing pride when Tsarnaev discussed his brother's boxing skills. Over a prosecution objection, Alvarez said he could not imagine the Jahar he knew becoming involved in the bombing.

On cross-examination, Aloke Chakravarty elicited Alvarez's agreement that wrestling required discipline and persistence through demanding workouts. Alvarez described Tsarnaev as somewhat of a mentor and agreed that teammates and coaches provided a close-knit, supportive environment. He also acknowledged that he knew Tsarnaev primarily through wrestling and had little relationship with him through other activities, limiting the reach of his favorable character account.