Throughout the testimony, Lynch attempted to portray the defendant as a liar—calling attention to the fact that the defendant lied to the police on a few occasions and insinuating the defendant was lying again in court.

“In your college days, you liked to act in plays, is that right?” was Lynch’s first question for Pring-Wilson.

Pring-Wilson claimed he lied to the police because he was scared of retaliation from his attackers, adding that he was not thinking clearly due to a concussion. The defense has argued that Pring-Wilson suffered a concussion from the altercation.

“I didn’t want them coming after me,” Pring-Wilson said, sniffling. He later added, “I lied to them because I wanted it to be over.”

Lynch later asked, “A concussion doesn’t make you lie, Mr. Pring-Wilson, does it?”

Lynch also questioned the credulity of the defendant’s claim that he was knocked to the ground, noting that no one was stabbed in the legs or groin but rather that Pring-Wilson got a “lucky stab to the heart.”

“I wouldn’t call it lucky,” Pring-Wilson said, his voice quivering with emotion. “It’s the most horrible thing.”

After his tense three-hour stint on the stand, Pring-Wilson returned to his seat. His defense attorney, Ann P. Kaufman, stroked and patted his back.

Pring-Wilson’s trial is expected to last at least another week.

—Staff writer Robin M. Peguero can be reached at peguero@fas.harvard.edu.