The defense attorneys also pointed out that Sandler reported that Colono had a fatty liver of an 18-year-old—a sign of heavy alcohol consumption.

Levinson also asked Sandler if Colono could have lived had he received faster care.“If medical treatment would have been available, it would not have been fatal,” Sandler said.

Colono’s cousin and his cousin’s girlfriend, who were with Colono after the stabbing, testified last week that while they were seeking help they were also afraid of “getting in trouble” with the police because they lacked driver’s licences, which might have impeded their search for an ambulance.

Today the prosecution is scheduled to call more forensic experts. Harjeet Singh, the manager of the Pizza Ring where the stabbing occurred, is also slated to take the stand.

But Colono’s relatives, including his mother and sister, are expected to provide the most emotional testimony today.

Peter T. Elikann, a Boston-based defense attorney, said in an interview that prosecutors could use Colono’s relatives to “humanize” him for the jury and preempt any attempts by the defense to paint the victim in a negative light. The defense has already pointed out Colono’s juvenile record and criminal charges of drug possession.

“There’s always the chance that the defense will try to muddy up the victim a bit, to say that the victim could have been a dangerous person with a criminal record,” Elikann said.

—May Habib and Robin M. Peguero contributed to the reporting of this story.

—Staff writer Hana R. Alberts can be reached at alberts@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Zachary M. Seward can be reached at seward@fas.harvard.edu.