The Karen Read retrial is underway, with testimony continuing in Norfolk Superior Court. Karen Read is accused of second-degree murder for allegedly backing her SUV into her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, in January 2022. The defense argues that Read was framed and that O’Keefe was fatally beaten inside a Canton home. This live blog provides real-time updates on the key testimonies and evidence presented in court.
The retrial has seen several witnesses take the stand, including forensic experts, police officers, and individuals connected to the case. The defense aims to cast doubt on the prosecution’s narrative, highlighting potential biases and inconsistencies in the investigation. The inclusion of offensive texts from State Police investigator Michael Proctor adds another layer of complexity to the proceedings.
Stay tuned for continuous updates as the trial progresses, offering a comprehensive look at the arguments, testimonies, and key moments shaping the Karen Read retrial.
Dr. Marie Russell Takes the Stand for Defense
Dr. Marie Russell, a forensic pathologist, testified for the defense, contradicting the prosecution’s reconstruction experts. Russell, who has experience with numerous “unexplained deaths,” discussed her examination process during autopsies. She currently works for the Medical Board of California and previously served in the state prison system.
Russell told Read lawyer Robert Alessi that she worked a number of “unexplained deaths” during her forensic pathology fellowship, as well as fatal overdoses, homicides, suicides, and deadly car crashes.
“Part of the examination … is the external examination of the body” during an autopsy, Russell said.
She said she currently works for the Medical Board of California, the state regulatory body for doctors and other medical professionals, and previously worked in the state prison system as the chief medical executive of a high-security facility, following a 29-year tenure at a hospital now known as Los Angeles General Medical Center.
Russell said she conducted a number of death investigations of incarcerated people during her time as chief medical executive of the prison.
Russell’s testimony aims to provide an alternative perspective on the forensic evidence, potentially influencing the jury’s understanding of O’Keefe’s injuries.
Former Canton Police Officer Continues Testimony
Former Canton police officer Kelly Dever continued her testimony, addressing inconsistencies between her initial statements and current recollections. Dever stated that she was asked to repeat a lie by the defense and faced potential perjury charges. She also mentioned a friendship with Sarah Levinson, one of the afterparty guests.
Read lawyer Alan Jackson said former Canton police officer Kelly Dever told the federal agents she never saw Ken Berkowitz and Brian Higgins leave the sallyport but that they were in the garage “for a wildly long time.”
Dever said that was her recollection at the time she spoke to the agents.
Jackson asked Dever if she recalled the defense telling her they wanted “the truth.”
Jackson also asked if Dever recalled telling him on the phone, “I know you’re going to tear me a new [expletive]” due to her altered statement, and she said she didn’t recall.
Jackson asked if Dever was personal friends with anyone connected with the case.
“One person, yes,” Dever said. “Sarah Levinson.”
Dever’s testimony highlights the complexities of memory and potential external pressures on witnesses, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the events of January 2022.
Offensive Texts from Investigator Michael Proctor Read to Jury
The jury heard offensive text messages from State Police investigator Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the Read case. These texts included disparaging remarks about Karen Read, potentially indicating bias. Proctor was later fired for these inappropriate comments, adding a layer of controversy to the investigation.
State Police investigator Michael Proctor wrote “‘she’s a whackjob’ and then uses the c-word to describe” Read, Brennan said, reading from the transcript.
Proctor also called Read “a babe” with a “weird Fall River accent,” adding that there’s “zero chance” she avoids legal issues, and that “she’s [expletive].”
Proctor also wrote in early February 2022 that Read was a “nutbag” with a “leaky balloon knot,” a reference to her medical conditions, per Brennan’s reading.
Brennan asked if Proctor ever suggested planting evidence or framing Read, and Diamandis said “absolutely not.”
The revelation of these texts could significantly impact the jury’s perception of Proctor’s investigation and the integrity of the evidence presented.
Friend of Michael Proctor Continues His Testimony
Jonathan Diamandis, a friend of Michael Proctor, testified about the text chain in question. Diamandis confirmed that Proctor made inappropriate comments and that he was terminated “in connection with this case.” The content of the text messages revealed details about the investigation and the opinions of those involved.
Jonathan Diamandis told prosecutor Hank Brennan after the sidebar that State Police investigator Michael Proctor told him he was terminated “in connection with this case.” He said he believes Proctor’s firing was “based on” his comments in the text chain.
Someone asked Proctor in the text chain on the night of Jan. 29, 2022, for the “name of that BPD cop” who was killed, Diamandis said, reading from the printout.
Proctor also wrote that John O’Keefe “took custody of his sister’s kids” following their parents’ deaths, and that the “powers that be want answers ASAP.”
He also wrote that Read “waffled” O’Keefe. When a friend asked if O’Keefe was “beat up,” he said, “nope.”
Diamandis’s testimony provided context to Proctor’s messages and shed light on the culture within the State Police investigation team.
Judge Allows Michael Proctor Texts into Evidence
Judge Beverly J. Cannone ruled to allow the text messages from Michael Proctor to be entered into evidence, despite objections from the prosecution. The judge stated that the texts could reflect potential bias or omissions in the police investigation. This decision paved the way for the defense to introduce these messages and challenge the integrity of the evidence.
Judge Beverly J. Cannone said she’ll allow text messages from State Police investigator Michael Proctor to be entered into evidence, over the objections of prosecutors.
Cannone said she finds the texts have been properly authenticated and could speak to his state of mind, “specifically as that goes to potentially reflecting any bias or omissions on the police investigation.”
Read attorney David Yannetti then called Proctor’s longtime friend, Jonathan Diamandis, to the stand. Diamandis was among the friends on Proctor’s text chain.
The judge’s decision marks a significant win for the defense, allowing them to directly address the potential bias of the lead investigator.
Defense Returns to Presenting Its Case
The defense has returned to presenting its case, aiming to demonstrate that Karen Read was framed. Key witnesses include Dr. Marie Russell, who testified about dog bite-like injuries on O’Keefe’s arm, and experts from ARCCA, who challenged the prosecution’s claims about the SUV’s role in O’Keefe’s death. The defense is working to create reasonable doubt and shift the blame to others.
Testimony resumes Monday in Karen Read’s murder retrial, with the defense presenting its case for a second day in Norfolk Superior Court.
Her lawyers say she was framed and that O’Keefe entered the house, owned at the time by a fellow Boston police officer, where he was fatally beaten and possibly attacked by a German Shepherd before his body was planted on the lawn.
Among the defense witnesses the jury has yet to hear from are Dr. Marie Russell, a veteran emergency room physician who plans to testify that injuries to O’Keefe’s right arm appeared to come from dog bites, and experts from the crash reconstruction firm ARCCA, who determined that O’Keefe’s injuries weren’t consistent with being hit by a vehicle.
The defense’s strategy centers on discrediting the prosecution’s narrative and presenting an alternative explanation for O’Keefe’s death.
Conclusion
The Karen Read retrial continues to unfold with new testimonies and evidence, keeping the public and legal experts engaged. The defense’s strategy to highlight potential biases and inconsistencies in the investigation is creating a complex and contentious atmosphere in the courtroom.
Key takeaways from the ongoing testimony include the conflicting expert opinions on O’Keefe’s injuries, the questionable conduct of lead investigator Michael Proctor, and the reliability of witness testimonies. These factors contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the case and the challenges faced by the jury in reaching a verdict.
As the trial progresses, the focus remains on whether the defense can successfully cast reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case. The outcome of the retrial will have significant implications for all parties involved, and the public will continue to follow the proceedings closely.
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