Rebecca Norris

Rebecca Norris testified for the defense on Day 55 about Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's academic ability and behavior at Community Charter School of Cambridge. Under questioning by Miriam Conrad, she explained that she had been his advisor and taught him seventh-grade mathematics and science and eighth-grade algebra. She recalled mostly A grades, advanced mathematics, close friendships, soccer success, and a quiet, friendly manner. She described him as responsive to guidance and said she had expected him to succeed in college with substantial financial support. A report-card page and photographs were admitted.

Norris also recounted the uniform dispute preceding his transfer to Cambridge Rindge and Latin, while acknowledging that she had learned its details secondhand and was not an administrator at the time. She recalled his polite refusal of her offer to contact his mother but did not remember whether he explained that refusal. The court sustained objections to questions seeking her interpretation of his refusal and her feelings about his departure, while allowing her assessment of his future prospects.

Her account of strong middle school performance contrasted with a later high school conversation in which Tsarnaev reported what she thought was a D in chemistry. She was uncertain whether he was then a sophomore or junior and recalled that he changed the subject to wrestling. The prosecution asked no questions. In closing argument, Judy Clarke invoked Norris's recollections as part of the defense's portrayal of Tsarnaev as a quiet, hardworking child.