Karen Read’s Murder Retrial Resumes Amidst Controversial Testimony
Canton, MA — The murder retrial of Karen Read resumed on Friday at Norfolk Superior Court, where she faces severe charges, including second-degree murder. Prosecutors argue that Read, 45, intentionally struck her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O’Keefe, with her Lexus SUV during a drunken altercation on January 29, 2022, after dropping him off at a residence in Canton. Read has pleaded not guilty, contending that she has been framed in this tragic case.
Defense Claims in Question
During the proceedings, Read’s defense team proposed a different narrative: they claim that O’Keefe was killed inside a residence, allegedly owned by fellow police officer Brian Albert, where he was fatally assaulted and potentially attacked by a dog. According to defense statements, his body was subsequently thrown into a blizzard.
In the first trial held in July 2024, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, leading to a hung jury and setting the stage for this retrial.
Expert Testimony Cited
The defense initiated its presentation by calling crash analysis expert Daniel Wolfe to the stand. Wolfe, who provided testimony in the previous trial, reinforced his position that O’Keefe’s injuries did not align with those expected from a vehicle collision. He elaborated on his credentials and experience in crash reconstruction, asserting that his firm, ARCCA, had been consulted independently by the defense after a federal review initiated by the Department of Justice concluded without charges.
Wolfe challenged the prosecution’s expert, Judson Welcher, who suggested that O’Keefe’s wounds matched contact with the taillight of Read’s SUV. Wolfe criticized Welcher’s demonstration as overly simplistic, arguing it failed to demonstrate the actual dynamics of an impact. He highlighted that alignment alone cannot confirm the occurrence of a collision.
To further substantiate his points, Wolfe conducted an experiment where he used a pneumatic cannon to simulate impacts, demonstrating that only high-speed strikes could replicate the damage to the taillight, countering assertions that such damage could arise from a thrown object.
Looking Ahead
As the trial progresses, the defense may rest its case as early as Tuesday. The courtroom remains focused on the complex dynamics of this case, as both sides continue to present their narratives on a tragic event that cut a promising life short.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
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