MISTRIAL MA - Professor Karen Read, 43, charged with murdering police officer boyfriend John O'Keefe by hitting him with car, Canton, 14 Apr 2023 #19

[keek]

How about you do some research of the first trial and let us know? Even though I watched the trial after the fact, I can't recall how the Alberts explained that.

I bet if looked for on say utube or so, the first trial in it's entirety can be found. Only way to make informed and educated, with an open mind as one should in a trial, decisions and opinions on people and events, hopefully.

 

[Angelwatch]

I watched the entire first trial. There were four or five experts who gave witness testimony on the 'hos long to die in cold' search, and they all contradicted each other. In the end I (imagining my self as a juror) discounted that particular piece of evidence.

Same as I discounted the fact that Jen McCabe came off as completely evil and conniving. So yes, I could totally imagine her making that search at 2:27am while waiting for JOK to die, and subsequently deleting the search, but that doesn't mean that she actually did. The evidence was just not clear.

I tend to believe the CW in this regard. Cellebrite did make a change to their software, and from what I read, this issue has come up in other cases. I don't believe much of what Jen McCabe says, but I think the defense should not make the time of her search a big focus. There's enough reasonable doubt elsewhere to carry their case.

 

[mrjitty]

I tend to believe the CW in this regard. Cellebrite did make a change to their software, and from what I read, this issue has come up in other cases. I don't believe much of what Jen McCabe says, but I think the defense should not make the time of her search a big focus. There's enough reasonable doubt elsewhere to carry their case.

Thank you to you and the others up thread for the Cellebrite info. I had heard the defence might pull back from this issue. I guess we shall see.

 

[Spectrix]

Chloe was anxious around humans according to testimony. Like humans, anxious dogs do unpredictable things. Having a dog for 7 years is a long time for a family to decide to send her away to a farm in her middle age. Anyone who grew up with dogs as family members would know the pain caused by that decision - both to the family and to the dog.
MOO

When I was little, one of our dogs - who was at times neurotic and unpredictable - was sent away to live out her days on a "farm".
My own suspicion at the time was that she was put to sleep so as not to become anyone else's problem, and that the 'farm' was a convenient story to tell us kids. I was 4 years old.

As an adult, I'm certain that was the case.

 

[keek]

If they have done all that they seem to have done to JO and KR, nooo problem to 'farm out' their long time dog to save themselves again.

 

[kuromiiiilove]

I tend to believe the CW in this regard. Cellebrite did make a change to their software, and from what I read, this issue has come up in other cases. I don't believe much of what Jen McCabe says, but I think the defense should not make the time of her search a big focus. There's enough reasonable doubt elsewhere to carry their case.
MOO

Can I ask what specifically makes you trust the CW over the defense experts regarding JM’s search data?

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

Yes I saw all that on the documentary. I'd say it was brutally uncomfortable for that witness and others. I've read some articles about the other stuff and his charges.

Respectfully, ‘that witness’ IIUC was the lead investigator on the KR case. The lead investigator. SMH. MOO

 

[Angelwatch]

Can I ask what specifically makes you trust the CW over the defense experts regarding JM’s search data?

I think both sides presented experts which contradicted each other. And I firmly believe Karen Read is innocent. Having said that, I think the CW went extra hard on this issue because it might have been the only thing Jen McCabe said that was true. You can also see how angry and aggressive she was on the stand when testifying about the search. So her demeanor was a part of it, for me personally. Probably the biggest factor was the Cellebrite expert and the fact that this has come up in other cases. And then Cellebrite updated to fix the issue. I'd like to see the artifact/mistiming recreated using her exact operating system. The fact the CW used a different version creates some doubt, but I still lean towards the CW offering a reasonable and believable explanation of the search.

 

[Wishbone]

snips from Canton PD audit

Observations and Findings
Canton PD detectives did not have access to evidence collection kits (in Canton PD vehicles or at the Canton PD headquarters) to secure the blood evidence located near the body of Mr. O’Keefe at 34 Fairview Road. Canton PD detectives stated they only utilized solo cups as a last resort to preserve the forensic evidence until it was transferred to the MSP crime scene forensic unit.
The Audit Team found Canton PD did not follow policy and procedures related to evidence collection and preservation. The Audit Team found that there were no Bureau of Criminal Identification Unit(s) initially on scene, nor were crime scene kits available or used for evidence collection. [Note: According to the Massachusetts Crime Lab, plastic is not recommended for packaging or storing moist or wet evidence items due to the acceleration of the decomposition of biological materials on the evidence.]
• No photos were taken of John O’Keefe (exact location of where his body was found) by Canton PD
officers at 34 Fairview Road.
• Canton PD officers used personal phones to photograph and video the evidence collection at 34
Fairview Road. Pursuant to Canton PD policy, a digital camera or laptop computer should have been
used to photograph the crime scene.
• Canton PD first officer on the scene should have photographed John O’Keefe where he was found
before he was moved by fire rescue to the ambulance.
• Jennifer McCabe and Kerri Roberts should have been interviewed (and the interviews should have
been recorded) at the Canton PD after Mr. O’Keefe was taken to the hospital. Both witnesses
accompanied Ms. Read and drove with Ms. Read to 34 Fairview Road.
• Nicole and Brian Albert should have been interviewed at Canton PD.
• Both MSP and Canton PD failed to maintain police presence at 34 Fairview Road to maintain the
integrity of the crime scene. Both agencies should have coordinated to have an officer(s) maintain a presence at 34 Fairview Road, pending the second search by MSP.
The Audit Team found there was incomplete coordination requesting all video files in the custody of Canton PD regarding the Canton PD sallyport camera footage of Karen Read’s Lexus SUV. The vehicle was maintained from January 29, 2022, to February 2, 2022, at Canton PD.
ALL video footage (files) maintained on Canton PDs computer systems of Karen Read’s Lexus SUV while it was housed at Canton PD from January 29 through February 2, 2022, should have been requested and turned over early in the Karen Read case to lead investigators for any action as deemed appropriate.
Due to the blizzard conditions on the morning of January 29, 2022, and the coordination of personnel, the MSP waited until after 4:45 p.m. to begin coordinating a secondary search of the crime scene at 34 Fairview Road.
Each piece of evidence should be carefully logged and tracked to establish the timeline of its handling.
Officers should refrain from using personally owned phones to video or photograph crime scenes.
• Once evidence is processed, it should be stored in a secure and controlled environment, such as an evidence room with restricted access.
• If there is any doubt about the legal requirements, it is essential to consult with the department’s legal advisors to ensure the integrity of the investigation.

https://www.town.canton.ma.us/DocumentCenter/View/11832/Canton-Report-April-1-2025

 

[Forest_Wood]

When I was little, one of our dogs - who was at times neurotic and unpredictable - was sent away to live out her days on a "farm".
My own suspicion at the time was that she was put to sleep so as not to become anyone else's problem, and that the 'farm' was a convenient story to tell us kids. I was 4 years old.

As an adult, I'm certain that was the case.

That's what was thought yes. Yet, somehow the CW has molds of Chloe's teeth/bite that they didn't have in Trial #1, the implication being she was sent somewhere else to live and the molds were only taken recently.
MOO

 

[kuromiiiilove]

I think both sides presented experts which contradicted each other. And I firmly believe Karen Read is innocent. Having said that, I think the CW went extra hard on this issue because it might have been the only thing Jen McCabe said that was true. You can also see how angry and aggressive she was on the stand when testifying about the search. So her demeanor was a part of it, for me personally. Probably the biggest factor was the Cellebrite expert and the fact that this has come up in other cases. And then Cellebrite updated to fix the issue. I'd like to see the artifact/mistiming recreated using her exact operating system. The fact the CW used a different version creates some doubt, but I still lean towards the CW offering a reasonable and believable explanation of the search.

I appreciate your thoughtful response! I want to note I am not trying to attack you in my response, just laying out my perspective/counterpoints:
-‘Both sides presented experts which contradicted each other’ that is true. However, I would note that only the defense expert, Mr. Green, relied on Google’s server logs, which are independent, unchangeable, and definitive.
“The fact that the CW used a different version of Cellbrite creates some doubt, but I still lean towards them” I just don’t understand why you’d lean towards a party that admitted to using outdated methods, and did not rely on Google’s server logs, unlike the defense’s expert witness.

More important to me is that Cellbrite’s tools do not even access or analyze Google server logs. They specialize in physical, logical, and file system extraction from devices. They can pull contacts, messages and media stored on the device, they can obtain a complete copy of device storage, as well as Jen’s cloud data if she was logged in to iCloud. They also have access to her phones application data and system logs.

I believe the testimony of the Cellbrite expert witnesses doesn’t mean much, simply because their tech cannot access Google’s server logs. Which also explains why they kept trying to push the ‘Safaris logs were mistaken’ argument - they have no other explanation. If the defense does choose to bring up JM’s time stamp/search history data in trial 2, I would like them to ask more explicit questions in cross.

IMO IMO IMO

 

[Linda7NJ]

Not enough weight has been given to the blood dripping down JOK's shirt IMHO. It is evidence that at some point he was standing or seated to have allowed the blood to flow downwards onto his shirt. As he was found laying on the ground, the blood would have dripped down onto the ground under his head.

Maybe after she swiped him with her SUV - he staggered and fell backwards, striking his head

 

[Tricia]

Dear Websleuths members and guests,
The last thing we want are those horrid ads coming back on Websleuths right? Please helps us keep Websleuths ad free by becoming a monthly subscriber to
DNASolves.com
Not only do you help keep Websleuths ad free you also help famlies of the missing get the answer they deserves. Your monthly donation becomes part of solving the mystery of the unidentified.
CLICK HERE TO BECOME A MONTHLY SUBSCRIBER
If you have any questions, please
CLICK HERE!
Thank you,
Tricia

 

[Derph]

That's what was thought yes. Yet, somehow the CW has molds of Chloe's teeth/bite that they didn't have in Trial #1, the implication being she was sent somewhere else to live and the molds were only taken recently.
MOO

Another miracle!

 

[Angelwatch]

I appreciate your thoughtful response! I want to note I am not trying to attack you in my response, just laying out my perspective/counterpoints:
-‘Both sides presented experts which contradicted each other’ that is true. However, I would note that only the defense expert, Mr. Green, relied on Google’s server logs, which are independent, unchangeable, and definitive.
“The fact that the CW used a different version of Cellbrite creates some doubt, but I still lean towards them” I just don’t understand why you’d lean towards a party that admitted to using outdated methods, and did not rely on Google’s server logs, unlike the defense’s expert witness.

More important to me is that Cellbrite’s tools do not even access or analyze Google server logs. They specialize in physical, logical, and file system extraction from devices. They can pull contacts, messages and media stored on the device, they can obtain a complete copy of device storage, as well as Jen’s cloud data if she was logged in to iCloud. They also have access to her phones application data and system logs.

I believe the testimony of the Cellbrite expert witnesses doesn’t mean much, simply because their tech cannot access Google’s server logs. Which also explains why they kept trying to push the ‘Safaris logs were mistaken’ argument - they have no other explanation. If the defense does choose to bring up JM’s time stamp/search history data in trial 2, I would like

I'd have to go back and watch the defense expert. Was it just Richard Green? Both sides contradicted each other and while I want to believe that JM made the search at 2am, I'm not convinced. I found the cellebrite expert credible. There's so much reasonable doubt elsewhere, I wouldn't spend a lot of time on the search if I'm the defense.

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

Maybe after she swiped him with her SUV - he staggered and fell backwards, striking his head

Doubtful. If that’s what happened then why don’t they present an expert in physics to testify to that? We instead got Trooper Paul saying “it just did”. It doesn’t really matter because they could provide clear cut science proving he wasn’t hit and it wouldn’t change this opinion you’ve spun. Already had decided that the minute she was arrested. And that’s fine but they aren’t going to convince me with a state trooper saying it happened the CW’s way because “it just did” nor will I happily sweep Proctor’s misogynistic, creepy, disgusting behavior under the rug.

 

[waldojabba]

I know plenty of folks want this trial to be about something else, but it’s really just about the charges against KR.
The defense can still convey, mostly through their cross examination of witnesses testifying about actual evidence, how bungled they think the investigation was. Other expert witnesses of theirs can give contrary opinions on the actual evidence.
To have one witness testify solely that, in their opinion, the investigation was “crappy” is not focused enough and skews the trial’s purpose too far from the charges against KR.
Again, the defense can still get information in on the lousy investigation.
It’ll be fine.

Just my thoughts.

I agree in with your main part that the D is fine without the one witness altho I dont think the Judge ruled properly.
And yes this trial is about the Charges against Karen Reed. But lets be real, you INVESTIGATE before you come up with CHARGES. And if the investigation was fubar ( pretty much imo) the charges resulting from it may also be fubar.
Since the charges stem from the investigation its pretty important to address the investigation. Just my thoughts.

 

[cocomod]

I know plenty of folks want this trial to be about something else, but it’s really just about the charges against KR.
The defense can still convey, mostly through their cross examination of witnesses testifying about actual evidence, how bungled they think the investigation was. Other expert witnesses of theirs can give contrary opinions on the actual evidence.
To have one witness testify solely that, in their opinion, the investigation was “crappy” is not focused enough and skews the trial’s purpose too far from the charges against KR.
Again, the defense can still get information in on the lousy investigation.
It’ll be fine.

Just my thoughts.

We also now have the audit report that indicates that the investigation was substandard and against protocol. This is a huge deal because the investigation should have included interviews with other people there were at that house that night. I agree with you though, the defense will be able to show a lousy investigation at trial just based on the evidence presented by the CW.

 

[waldojabba]

Wow ..that’s quite the smear.

I think its accurate depiction having watched the entire trial and of course its only my opinion. I do not agree with the word you use to characterize my thoughts. JMO

 

[waldojabba]

That seems to be part of the reason for her antics, but I believe the rabbit hole runs much deeper. JMOO

@Wishbone Agreed that there is much more behind the "curtain" jmo