Expert witness says O’Keefe’s fatal head injury came from falling backwards

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In the ongoing murder trial of Karen Read, a Yale-educated brain surgeon testified that John O’Keefe died from falling backwards and hitting his head on frozen ground. Dr. Aizik Wolf explained that O’Keefe’s head trauma and skull fractures, combined with hypothermia, were the cause of his death. The impact of hitting his head resulted in a classic blunt-trauma injury, leading to fatal swelling in his brain.

According to Dr. Wolf, O’Keefe’s body temperature dropped significantly during the blizzard, contributing to his demise. The injuries sustained by O’Keefe were similar to those seen in patients with traumatic head injuries, which Wolf treated during his time in a Minneapolis trauma center. The defense highlighted separate injuries on O’Keefe’s face and arm, suggesting that they were not related to the head trauma that killed him.

In addition to Dr. Wolf’s testimony, Christina Hanley from the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab discussed the analysis of glass and plastic fragments found at the crime scene. While some evidence pointed to Read’s Lexus SUV, Hanley noted that the broken glass on the bumper did not match the shattered cocktail glass found near O’Keefe. The defense raised questions about the integrity of the investigation, particularly regarding former Trooper Michael Proctor, who was fired after sending inappropriate text messages during the case.

Karen Read faces charges of second-degree murder, drunken driving, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a deadly accident. If convicted, she could receive a life sentence. The trial continues with ongoing testimonies and evidence presented in court.

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