Shakhruzat Suleimanova testified for the defense about Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's childhood and family, describing him as quiet, shy and good while acknowledging that she had not seen him since he left at age eight. She also recalled later changes in Zubeidat and Tamerlan.
Witness
Shakhruzat Suleimanova
Hospital nurse's assistant from Dagestan, also known as Shari.
Appeared2015 Federal Trial
142 lines·1 proceeding
About
Shakhruzat Suleimanova testified through an interpreter for the defense on Day 57. She described her nephew Dzhokhar, also called Jahar, as quiet, shy and good, but acknowledged that she had not seen him since he left at age eight.
Her testimony addressed family caregiving and decision-making. She recalled raising her younger sister Zubeidat during their mother's illness, relatives helping with childcare, and fathers and oldest brothers making family decisions. She identified relatives in photographs; ten photographs were admitted during the examination.
Suleimanova recalled distress at the family's departure for America and shock at Zubeidat's covered appearance during a later visit, contrasting it with her sister's earlier manner and dress. She also described Tamerlan's changed demeanor and religious discussions during his 2012 return. The court overruled several objections to family-background questions but sustained an objection to asking why Suleimanova had been teary. The prosecution declined cross-examination.
Trial Record (1)
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