On MondayDzhokhar Tsarnaev’s attorneys are hoping to call to the stand a nun who was made famous by the movie Dead Man Walking, about an anti-death penalty advocate. But that may not happen. U.S. prosecutors have filed a motion to stop her testimony and U.S. Judge George O’ Toole has not ruled if it will be allowed.
Sister Helen Prejean appeared at the Moakley Courthouse about a week ago. No one knew she was coming. But the defense saw an opportunity in putting on the stand during the penalty phase someone who has become the face of the anti-death penalty movement.
Judge George O’Toole will decide if Sister Prejean will be allowed to take the stand. She would be the final defense witness in the trial. The US Attorney’s office has filed a motion to exclude Prejean’s testimony, which they see as irrelevant. But the defense says Prejean’s is an expert on the death penalty itself and it’s impact on families and victims.
If Sister Prejean is allowed to testify, it’s believed that Judge O‘Toole will limit what she has to say to a very narrow framework of discussion.
