On Thursday, the prosecution closed its case in the Karen Read murder trial, who faces charges for allegedly reversing her SUV into her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe.
Crash reconstruction expert Judson Welcher finished his testimony during the morning session at the Norfolk Superior Court in Massachusetts. He addressed the glass found at the crime scene, the suspension level of Read’s SUV at the time of the incident, and the speed of her vehicle’s reversal, as CrimeOnline previously reported.
Karen Read, 45, a former adjunct professor at Bentley University, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges. Her first trial ended in a mistrial after a jury couldn’t unanimously agree.
Prosecutors alleged that Read struck O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022, following a night of drinking. They also introduced evidence of an admission that Read allegedly made the morning O’Keefe’s body was discovered, along with damage found on her vehicle and a timeline placing Read at the crime scene.
However, Read maintained that the crash never occurred and claimed she had been framed for O’Keefe’s murder. She reportedly said that fellow police officers beat O’Keefe inside friend Brian Albert’s home in Canton, before he was left outside and attacked by a dog.
After leaving the courthouse, Read labeled the prosecution’s case “unjust” and said she’s ready for her defense. She announced that her team will start with Matthew DiSogra, a director of engineering at DeltaV, a firm specializing in motor vehicle accident reconstruction, according to FOX News Digital.
The trial continues. Check back for updates.
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[Featured image: Karen Read/LinkedIn and John O’Keefe/Boston Police Department]
