Karen Read murder trial continues with crash expert testimony on day 29
The ongoing murder trial of Karen Read took a significant turn as a crash reconstructionist took the stand on the 29th day of proceedings. Read is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, by allegedly hitting him with her 2021 Lexus SUV and leaving him to die during a blizzard.
Before the jury arrived, Judge Beverly Cannone heard motions regarding rebuttal testimony and expert witnesses. An additional evidentiary hearing will determine what Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, a forensic pathologist and professor, can testify in front of the jury.
Defense lawyer David Yannetti claimed that O’Keefe was potentially placed near a flagpole outside a residence in Canton, Massachusetts. Laposata is expected to discuss O’Keefe’s injuries and their possible causes.
During the trial, Dr. Daniel Wolfe, a reconstructionist, testified that the damage to Read’s SUV does not align with the impact that allegedly killed O’Keefe. However, on cross-examination, he acknowledged that fragments of a taillight could have caused O’Keefe’s injuries before his fatal fall.
Read has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, drunken driving manslaughter, and leaving the scene. Her defense team maintains that her vehicle did not strike O’Keefe and that his injuries occurred after she departed.
If convicted, Read could face life in prison. The jury had previously deadlocked in her first trial on the same charges.
The trial continues to unfold, with expert testimonies and evidence playing a crucial role in determining the outcome. Stay updated on the latest developments in this high-profile case.
