Kendrick Ball testified for the defense about Tamerlan Tsarnaev's boxing, including his refusal of protective equipment and return to sparring after spitting blood. On cross-examination, Ball clarified that he never coached Tamerlan and did not know Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
Witness
Kendrick Ball
Worcester resident who provides personal care assistance.
Appeared2015 Federal Trial
92 lines·2 proceedings·1 mention
About
Kendrick Ball testified for the defense on Day 54 about Tamerlan Tsarnaev's boxing and visits to his Camp Get Right Boxing Gym in Worcester. Ball said he invited Tamerlan to spar after seeing him fight Bryan Daniels. He considered Tamerlan experienced and skilled, but criticized his low left hand for leaving him exposed to a right-hand power punch.
Ball described Tamerlan sparring without a cup, headgear, or mouthpiece and refusing trainers' requests to use protection during a later visit. He recalled Tamerlan spitting blood after sparring with Edwin Rodriguez, then returning to the ring and continuing to take punches. Ball qualified his recollection of the order in which Tamerlan sparred with Owen Minor and Rodriguez. During direct examination, the court permitted a boxing clip over a cumulative-evidence objection, and Exhibit 3242 was used for a clothing comparison.
On cross-examination, Ball clarified that he never coached Tamerlan and believed their ring interactions occurred in 2010. He placed their later, nonboxing encounter in February 2013 and described Tamerlan's clothing as a different style rather than funny. Ball also testified that he did not know or previously see Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and did not see him in the clip discussed by Steven Mellin.
Trial Record (2)
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