A hair was found on the rear panel of the Lexus and tested to be consistent by mitochondrial DNA (95% confidence). The DNA found on the tail light housing was tissue residue and tested by nuclear DNA method to extreme confidence to match JOK.The prosecution has several points they’re are relying on:
-Witness testimony of Karen allegedly either saying ‘I did it’ or ‘I hit him’ - However, Karen maintains she said ‘Did I hit him? Could I have hit him?’
-Broken taillight fragments matching Read’s SUV were found near John O’Keefe’s body, with some pieces reportedly containing his DNA (DNA evidence links Karen Read's car to death of police officer, prosecutors say) - However, chain of custody on the taillight pieces has led to major question regarding the integrity of the evidence.
-Motive: The prosecution suggests Karen has motive to kill John because she was angry with him regarding relationship issues and drunk.
-Kerry Robert’s testimony, who just testified yesterday, was a key point of trial 1. She says Karen called her and said ‘John is dead’ before anyone saw the body. The prosecution claims this is evidence that Karen was aware she had struck John.
-Timing: the prosecution claims the window of time where O’Keefe could have left the car and been fatally struck is consistent with their version of events.
What’s not in their favor:
-No one saw Karen hit John, and there’s no surveillance footage of the incident.
-No blood, hair, or tissue were found on Karen’s car.
-No tire marks, bumper damage, or body dents on the car that would be consistent with a fatal strike.
-John’s wounds can’t be said to certainly have been caused by a car strike
-The lead investigator, Proctor, was just dishonorably discharged and fired for misconduct.
As a matter of common sense, IMO, there is no specific level of vehicle damage that corresponds to "fatal strike" when the the fatal strike isn't with the vehicle itself but with a hard surface contacted by the back of the skull.
The prosecution is alleging more than a time window consistent with JOK's being struck. It will present data from the Lexus's own tracking information indicating the vehicle reversing for a significant distance at high speed. It will also present data from JOK's phone alleged to be consistent with JOK remaining in the same spot at which he exited KR's vehicle, for the rest of the night, on top of his phone.
The tail light pieces, though, are the case, IMO. If the snowstorm hadn't come along to bury them, the train of events we have witnessed would never have gotten rolling, because there would never have been a serious effort to deny the most evident significance of those pieces.