Defense Medical Expert Challenges Death Location in Karen Read Retrial

In the ongoing murder retrial of Karen Read, who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, defense experts have challenged the prosecution's claim that Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV. Forensic pathologist Dr. Elizabeth Laposata testified that the fatal head injuries O’Keefe sustained were inconsistent with a fall on grass and suggested an impact on an uneven surface, contradicting the prosecution's version of events. Additionally, the defense highlighted errors by the prosecution, including mistaken assumptions about holes in O’Keefe’s sweatshirt, which led them to request a mistrial—a request that was denied. The defense maintains that Read’s vehicle never hit O’Keefe and that others are responsible for his death. The trial continues with testimony from defense witnesses, including accident reconstruction experts and medical examiners, as the jury evaluates conflicting evidence regarding the circumstances of O’Keefe’s death.