Mirra Kuznetsov

Mirra Kuznetsov testified for the defense on Day 58 about knowing the Tsarnaev family through her Russian-language video store and visits to their Cambridge apartment. She recalled apparent affection within the family and a brief exchange in which Tamerlan spoke powerfully to Dzhokhar, whom she called Jahar. She acknowledged that she could not remember the exact words.

Kuznetsov described changes in Zubeidat's dress and Tamerlan's appearance, tentatively dating them to 2008 or 2009. Her account combined personal observations with statements she attributed to Zubeidat and impressions about religious differences. She said she had no further in-person contact with the family after the encounter she described with Tamerlan.

At sidebar, William Fick sought to explore statements recorded in an FBI report about religious disagreements and the brothers' relationship. The judge sustained the prosecution's objection to further questioning seeking her opinion about that relationship; the passages counsel read were not adopted by Kuznetsov. The prosecution asked no questions. Before her appearance, defense counsel had described chronic illness and distress at the prospect of testifying, but the court required more than counsel's representation to establish unavailability.