Family members testify at Boston bombing trial

Tsarnaev cries during testimony

BOSTON — For the first time in court, Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev dropped his blank, impassive demeanor and cried as his sobbing aunt briefly took the stand Monday in his federal death penalty trial.

Tsarnaev, 21, wiped tears from his eyes quickly and fidgeted in his chair as his mother’s sister sobbed uncontrollably.

The aunt, Patimat Suleimanova, cried as she sat down about 10 feet from Tsarnaev. She was only able to answer questions about her name, her year of birth and where she was born.

Judge George O’Toole Jr. suggested that the defense call a different witness so she could compose herself. As she left the witness stand, Tsarnaev used a tissue to wipe his eyes and nose.

Five relatives — three cousins and two aunts — took the stand. As Tsarnaev was led out of the courtroom before the lunch recess, he blew a kiss at family members.

Tsarnaev was convicted last month of 30 federal charges in the bombings, including 17 that carry the possibility of the death penalty. He moved to the U.S. with his family in 2002 and committed the bombings when he was 19.

Prosecutors say Tsarnaev was an equal partner in the bombings with his radicalized older brother, Tamerlan, and have urged the jury to sentence him to death.

Tsarnaev’s lawyers say Tamerlan, 26, was the mastermind and lured his brother into his plan. Tamerlan died days after the bombings following a shootout with police.

Shakhruzat Suleimanova, a sister of Dzhokhar’s mother, Zubeidat, testified that Dzhokhar, Tamerlan and their two sisters were well-behaved as children.

“They were so good. They wouldn’t hurt a fly. My sister’s children were such good children,” she said.