Jurors in the Boston Marathon bombing trial Thursday heard from the man who the Tsarnaev brothers allegedly carjacked a few days after the bombing.
But before the focus shifted to the carjacking, the doctor who performed an autopsy on MIT police officer Sean Collier testified about the nature and extent of Collier’s injuries.
Below find key moments from Thursday’s testimony, and listen to a full report from WBUR’s Jack Lepiarz above.
-Dr. Renee Robinson testified that Collier was shot in the head three times, destroying the part of the brain that controls movement.
“Bullets went into his brain, destroyed vital parts of his brain that you cannot live without.” #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
“He’d have no purposeful movements. He’s essentially dead right away,” Robinson says, of moments right after Collier shooting. #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
-Later in the day, Dun Meng recounted the gripping tale of being carjacked by Tamerlan Tsarnaev following Collier’s murder.
Meng: “Suddenly he put his right hand in the window and opened the door to my car and jumped into the car.” #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
Meng was forced to drive to Watertown before being ordered into the passenger seat. There Meng and Tamerlan were joined by Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who sat in the backseat as Tamerlan drove.
At one point while they were driving around, Meng got a call from his roommate.
Meng then gets another call. Tamerlan pulls the gun and tells Meng to answer, in English. #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
Tamerlan tells Meng, “If you say one word in Chinese, I will kill you.” #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
“What do I say?” Meng asks. “Say you’re sick…staying at a friends,” Tamerlan replies. #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
Meng says he speaks Chinese w/ roommates. Roommate was surprised. Asked why he was speaking English over the phone. #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
Meng repeats his excuse, then says he has to go. Hangs up. Tamerlan says “Good job, boy.” #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
Meng was ultimately able to escape from the car while it was parked at a Shell gas station on Memorial Drive, seizing an opportunity while Dzhokhar was in a convenience store and Tamerlan was distracted trying to configure a GPS device.
“Every time when I recall this, it’s the most horrified moment. The most difficult decision in my life. #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
Meng had previously asked Tamerlan if he’d kill him. Tamerlan had said no. #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
Meng says he was struggling. “Should I trust him with that? Should I follow his orders?” #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
Meng testified that he was able to unbuckle his seat belt and open the door perfectly. “I could feel he was trying to grab me,” he said.
“His hand was so close to my left hand. I could feel the wind. He was shouting a word.” #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
Meng ran across the street to another gas station where he was able to call 911.
(Following his testimony, Meng was thanked and hugged by prosecutor Steve Mellin.)
-Cambridge Police Communications Supervisor Joe Sullivan was tasked with finding Meng’s stolen SUV. Meng had told police the car had a tracking system.
The first time the GPS in the Mercedes was pinged it was at 87 Dexter Ave, Watertown. #Tsarnaev
— WBUR Live (@wburLive) March 12, 2015
The ping location on Dexter Avenue in Watertown intersects with Laurel Street, where the Tsarnaev brothers were eventually found.
Jurors in the trial are expected to hear more about the Watertown manhunt next week.
Jack Lepiarz reported from federal court in Boston.
You can see all of WBUR’s updates from Wednesday’s testimony here.
Related:
- Carjack Victim Describes Harrowing Ride With Boston Bombers
- Finish Line Podcast: Inside The Boston Marathon Bombing Trial
Copyright 2015 WBUR
