Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
(Image credit: FBI)

During convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's sentencing trial on Monday, anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean took the stand.

Prejean said that Tsarnaev "was genuinely sorry for what he did," adding that she has met with him five times since March. Prejean explained that she had discussed both Islam and Catholicism with Tsarnaev, and she could tell in their conversations that he was "sincerely remorseful" about the event. On April 8, Tsarnaev was convicted of all 30 counts against him in relation to the bombing, and 17 of those counts carry the death penalty.

After Prejean left the stand, the defense team rested its case. The court will resume on Wednesday, when closing arguments will be delivered. Following the prosecution's final rebuttal, the jury will decide whether to sentence Tsarnaev to the death penalty or to a life in prison with no chance of parole.

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Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.