Rebekah Gregory

Rebekah Gregory testified for the prosecution on Day 27 about the first marathon explosion and the injuries it caused her and her son Noah. She believed she had been watching near LensCrafters, with five-year-old Noah sitting on her feet. She described being thrown into the air, being unable to get up and searching for him while fearing she would die. Aunt Penny placed Noah beside her.

Gregory recounted emergency surgery, a medically induced coma and 56 days in the hospital. She clarified that she had undergone 17 left-leg surgeries before an amputation on November 10, 2014, which brought that leg's surgery total to 18. She also described other injuries, retained shrapnel and injuries to Noah. Her testimony connected the blast with an extended course of treatment and continuing physical harm.

During Steven D. Mellin's examination, Gregory confirmed the accuracy of photographs and identified herself and companions. The Court admitted Exhibits 12, 16, 18 and 1473 without defense objection. Her recognition had a stated limit: she said she had not seen the man counsel circled in Exhibit 1473. Judy Clarke asked no questions, and Gregory was excused.

On Day 67, Gregory addressed the Court during victim impact statements at sentencing. She described PTSD affecting herself and her child, nightmares and continuing difficulties as an amputee. Addressing Tsarnaev, she criticized what she perceived as his lack of remorse and his courtroom behavior. She also rejected being defined as his victim and pledged to use her public platform to help others in honor of those who had died.