Sam Lipson

Sam Lipson testified for the defense on Day 54 and Day 55 about the Tsarnaev family's household and his encounters with its members. His mother, Joanna Herlihy, rented an apartment to the family. He described the home as crowded and recalled Jahar as a sweet, cheerful child. Tamerlan initially struck him as charismatic but later appeared more reserved and withdrawn. Lipson recalled Anzor's determined automobile repair work, followed by reduced energy and unhappiness. He described Zubeida as initially lively and optimistic and later increasingly anxious, while emphasizing that he saw her infrequently. The court excluded relayed health information but allowed him to recount Anzor's own general complaints of pain.

On continued direct examination, Lipson identified the brothers in a photograph outside his mother's building at 410 Norfolk Street in Cambridge. He estimated Jahar's age at about nine and the brothers' age difference at approximately six years. The court admitted Exhibit 3501-20 over a notice objection but sustained an objection to Conrad's suggestion about Tamerlan looking older. Lipson also identified family members and his mother in another photograph, which was received without objection.

On cross-examination, Pellegrini tested how much those encounters could establish about the brothers. Lipson broadly accepted an estimate of about ten encounters, mostly when they were younger, and did not think he could describe their relationship. His impressions of Dzhokhar rested chiefly on childhood contact, not knowledge of his high school or college life. He explained that calling Tamerlan more mature had been a comparison with the younger brother. When allowed to answer a question alleging college drug dealing, he said he did not know about it; he did not confirm the allegation.

On redirect, Lipson confirmed seeing Jahar after age twelve around his mother's building. He clarified that he had discussed Anzor's health, Zubeida's difficulty finding work, and the family's trouble finding suitable alternate housing. The court sustained two prosecution objections and declined Conrad's request to be heard further before excusing him.