Day 50 - April 22, 2015

Andrew Collier and Joseph Rogers described Sean Collier's character, ambition to become a police officer, and continuing absence from family life. Family photographs were admitted without objection. Rogers also testified about the effects on Sean's mother and siblings. At sidebar, the Court rejected a categorical family-only limit on victim-impact testimony while expressing concern about repetition. It permitted a graduation photograph but found a photograph with Officer Donohue unnecessary. MIT police chief John DiFava then described Collier's work and the department's continuing grief. Before Eric Whalley testified, the Court admitted the proposed survivor testimony on the grave-risk-of-death issue, preserving the defense objection and reserving its photograph ruling pending testimony. Whalley described permanent loss of sight in one eye, brain injuries, limb-salvage treatment, and continuing mobility, hearing, and balance problems. He said his salvaged leg might still require amputation. The Court admitted three exhibits over renewed objections; a separate foot photograph was shown for the witness without a recorded admission. Adrianna Haslet-Davis described the explosions, efforts to reach help, loss of her left leg below the knee, and her husband's continuing injuries. An aftermath photograph was admitted over a renewed objection. Outside the jury's presence, deputy U.S. marshal Gary Oliveira answered questions about a cell-block incident report submitted two days after the incident at a superior's direction. Before the jury, he authenticated a surveillance still from July 10, 2013. The Court admitted it and subsequently admitted three defense video clips. Oliveira said he did not know why Tsarnaev made either gesture. The Court restricted counsel's characterization of the footage and left its interpretation to the jury. Jinyan Zhao described Lingzi Lu's studies, personality, ambitions, and family relationships. She recounted funeral arrangements and conversations with Lingzi's parents. Photographs, a memorial-book cover, and a translated recording of her father's memorial speech were admitted; the recording was played.