SEATTLE, Washington – We got rare glimpses of emotion from the defendant Thursday, as he smiled at his brother’s account of Haq’s ideas for how to appeal to women, and chuckled at a joke by his father – before returning to the distant, despondent appearance Haq has had throughout the trial, sitting perfectly still, and blinking slowly.

Haq’s mother also showed a new side, as the demure woman became angry at Erin Ehlert’s questions, and was allowed to have her say, uninterrupted. “He’s a very compassionate, sensitive person,” said the mother. “I can not believe in my heart that he did the things you are telling me.”

As for Haq’s religious affiliation, several witnesses testified Haq saw the religion of Islam as too restrictive, even making a show of eating in front of his fasting family members during Ramadan. Instead, he turned to a Christian church with a “more welcoming” reception and spontaneous worship. But, those who know Haq suspected this, too, was a fleeting interest for his troubled mind.

“If this is what gives you peace and consolation, fine,” his father told him. “But you have a habit; you start a thing and after a month it will fizzle out.”

– In Session staff