MA - Professor Karen Read, 43, charged with murdering police officer boyfriend John O'Keefe by hitting him with car, Canton, 14 Apr 2023 #32 Retrial

[AngTxGal]

The ME's determination isn't relevant to the discussion about wounds on John's arm.

She said undetermined.

She did not say it wasn't a homicide, there is no quote for that.


Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, the medical examiner who performed O’Keefe’s autopsy, testified to wounds she saw on the victim’s arm and head, as well as bruises and abrasions on his hand and legs. She ruled O’Keefe’s cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and hypothermia, but was unable to conclusively determine his manner of death.

Court canceled, new video and a breakup: Week 4 of Karen Read's retrial

As Karen Read's retrial continues, jurors were given a surprise day off from court and saw videos of Brian Higgins at the Canton PD.

www.courttv.com

Ok, I fell down a rabbit hole here and made notes of the testimonies- links to them are at the bottom.

Dr. Renee Stonebridge- neuro anatomical pathologist- brain observations
Damage acute due to trauma
Subarachnoid hemorrhage on Frontal poles- bleeding in membrane encasing brain and spinal cord- Forehead and sides of face- lower right- How? Either ruptured aneurysm or skull trauma, no evidence of natural disease or vessel rupture
Inner portion of temporal lobes near brain stem- herniated and swelling on brain stem- brain cannot expand due to the single hole exit of skull- hemorrhage
Punctate contusion- small bruises in frontal and temporal- forehead and side of head in gray matter, causing blood vessels to rupture
Pons- middle of brain stem- herniation to pressure to hemorrhage
Cerebral hemorrhage- blood in spinal fluid
How- Are these injuries consistent with a fall or vehicle impact and fall to ground? Yes
Anatomical Pathologist Testimony T1 brain examination, T1 autopsy testimony follows 34 min

Dr. Ireni Scordi-Bello- ME
Described many of the wounds but didn’t interpret how all were made.

ME’s job to determine cause and manner of death.
Cause of death- physiological reasons for death
Manner of death- linking circumstances for the cause of death to be sustained.
Choices- 1 Natural, 2 Accidental, 3 Homicide, 4 Suicide, 5 Undetermined- one manner is no more compelling than another manner.
Which of two manners was most compelling- Accidental and Homicide- T1

J O’Keefe
Cause of death- blunt impact injuries of head and hypothermia.
Manner of death- could not be determined

Bruising and rib fractures near sternum- How consistent with medical intervention- CPR
No other noted trauma on chest or abdomen
Wounds on his right hand, bruises- How due to attempted IV access
Abrasion wounds on arm- no penetration through the skin layers into underlying fat or muscle. Length measured and range, but depth of wounds not measured.
She described several wounds- hand, arm wounds, scrape on eye, scratch on outside of right knee- but gave No interpretation as to How they were made.
Head abraded laceration- she points to occipital region- 2.5 cm length laceration
Skull fractures associated with laceration on right back of head in multiple areas of the skull base
Brain showed signs of bleeding- pickled (my words) to be examined by neuropathologist
CourtTV ME Testimony T2 autopsy


I didn’t realize the head laceration was this small- in my mind I had imagined a larger wound.
But wow, the force and location caused extensive damage.

Hmm, what did he hit?

IMO

 

[arielilane]

Defense witnesses - thus far and is Green up tomorrow

-- Matthew DiSogra, engineer vehicle data/DeltaV
Tasked to review and critique CW’s witness SB’s report
Generated no report of his own
Did not challenge key cycles 1162-1 or 1162-2
Challenged timestamp variances


-- Jonathan Diamandis, friend of MP
Why not call MP...

It's already known, that MP said "she waffled him", ... Maybe they are avoiding the attorney client privilege text messages he saw?

-- Kelly Dever, Boston PD
Testified that the defense threatened her with perjury if she did not say what they wanted her to say on the stand.

-- Dr. Marie Russell, Ret. ER doctor
Wanted to incorporate herself into a high-profile case for publicity
Violated the sequestration order
Not a dog expert
Alessi helped her with her testimony


-- Sgt. Nicholas Barros, Dighton police
His testimony changed from trial one
Memory does not get better as time goes on
Its suspect for Sgt. to have driven from Dighton to Boston in order to speak w/Jackson, could have spoken via phone.

-- Brian Loughran, snowplow driver
“I saw nothing”
Saw no dumpster
Several drive bys of snowplow truck seen on video; not truthful about trying to watch events unfold.
Perjury

Karina Kolokithas, friend of KR, Knew Matt and Jen McCabe through youth sports for about 10 years
Witness added nothing for the defense, confirmation of what a great man John O’Keefe was.
Kiss on the forehead. Is the jury to believe this set off BH? Adds insult to their (jurors') intelligence.
Why testify: ex: Possible there may have been past issues over youth sports issues; parents can get quite passionate if kid isn’t getting enough play time.


Summary: Defense attempting to clutter the commonwealth’s case. Defense apparently desperate. Will see what else they got, but, theyre suspect thus far. Not a good track record. jmo, as always

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

Defense witnesses - thus far and is Green up tomorrow

-- Matthew DiSogra, engineer vehicle data/DeltaV
Tasked to review and critique CW’s witness SB’s report
Generated no report of his own
Did not challenge key cycles 1162-1 or 1162-2
Challenged timestamp variances


-- Jonathan Diamandis, friend of MP
Why not call MP...

It's already known, that MP said "she waffled him", ... Maybe they are avoiding the attorney client privilege text messages he saw?

-- Kelly Dever, Boston PD
Testified that the defense threatened her with perjury if she did not say what they wanted her to say on the stand.

-- Dr. Marie Russell, Ret. ER doctor
Wanted to incorporate herself into a high-profile case for publicity
Violated the sequestration order
Not a dog expert
Alessi helped her with her testimony


-- Sgt. Nicholas Barros, Dighton police
His testimony changed from trial one
Memory does not get better as time goes on
Its suspect for Sgt. to have driven from Dighton to Boston in order to speak w/Jackson, could have spoken via phone.

-- Brian Loughran, snowplow driver
“I saw nothing”
Saw no dumpster
Several drive bys of snowplow truck seen on video; not truthful about trying to watch events unfold.
Perjury

Karina Kolokithas, friend of KR, Knew Matt and Jen McCabe through youth sports for about 10 years
Witness added nothing for the defense, confirmation of what a great man John O’Keefe was.
Kiss on the forehead. Is the jury to believe this set off BH? Adds insult to their (jurors') intelligence.
Why testify: ex: Possible there may have been past issues over youth sports issues; parents can get quite passionate if kid isn’t getting enough play time.


Summary: Defense attempting to clutter the commonwealth’s case. Defense apparently desperate. Will see what else they got, but, theyre suspect thus far. Not a good track record. jmo, as always

They aren't desperate. It's called defending their client. I don't know why people expect defense attorneys to just throw up their hands and say "She did it, she's guilty and the defense rests" JMO

 

[arielilane]

Dr. Wolfe broke sequestration order in Trial One.

Reminder: Despite there being a sequestration order in place, D. Wolfe, admitted during voir dire (w/o jurors present) that he sent notes to defendant’s team during the first trial; and received information concerning previous testimony. Wolfe testified that he engaged in info with defense despite a sequestration order.

Discussed the case with defense utilizing encrypted Signal app.


When you (Wolfe) were receiving information from the DOJ about witness testimony, that was before you testified … Wolfe’s response: "Correct"

Timestamp 1:59:03

Attorney Brennan: When you receiving information from the Department of Justice about witness testimony that was before you testified... Correct?

Wolfe: Correct


1:59:54

Attorney Brennan: Did you know there was a sequestration order in this case that you were not supposed to consider or review other witnesses testimony or information did you know that

Wolfe: i was never made aware of that


Attorney Brennan: Nobody made you aware about a sequestration order in this case

Wolfe: no

Attorney Brennan: But you did in fact receive information about other witnesses testimony before you testified in this case in front of the jury didn't you


Wolfe: from the Department of Justice Yes

 

[kuromiiiilove]

Defense witnesses - thus far and is Green up tomorrow

-- Matthew DiSogra, engineer vehicle data/DeltaV
Tasked to review and critique CW’s witness SB’s report
Generated no report of his own
Did not challenge key cycles 1162-1 or 1162-2
Challenged timestamp variances


-- Jonathan Diamandis, friend of MP
Why not call MP...

It's already known, that MP said "she waffled him", ... Maybe they are avoiding the attorney client privilege text messages he saw?

-- Kelly Dever, Boston PD
Testified that the defense threatened her with perjury if she did not say what they wanted her to say on the stand.

-- Dr. Marie Russell, Ret. ER doctor
Wanted to incorporate herself into a high-profile case for publicity
Violated the sequestration order
Not a dog expert
Alessi helped her with her testimony


-- Sgt. Nicholas Barros, Dighton police
His testimony changed from trial one
Memory does not get better as time goes on
Its suspect for Sgt. to have driven from Dighton to Boston in order to speak w/Jackson, could have spoken via phone.

-- Brian Loughran, snowplow driver
“I saw nothing”
Saw no dumpster
Several drive bys of snowplow truck seen on video; not truthful about trying to watch events unfold.
Perjury

Karina Kolokithas, friend of KR, Knew Matt and Jen McCabe through youth sports for about 10 years
Witness added nothing for the defense, confirmation of what a great man John O’Keefe was.
Kiss on the forehead. Is the jury to believe this set off BH? Adds insult to their (jurors') intelligence.
Why testify: ex: Possible there may have been past issues over youth sports issues; parents can get quite passionate if kid isn’t getting enough play time.


Summary: Defense attempting to clutter the commonwealth’s case. Defense apparently desperate. Will see what else they got, but, theyre suspect thus far. Not a good track record. jmo, as always

Dismissing every defense witness as biased, irrelevant, or flawed doesn’t address the legal standard at play. This is simply editorializing. The burden isn’t on the defense to explain every detail, it’s on the Commonwealth to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Pointing out timeline inconsistencies, conflicting testimony, mishandled evidence, or data discrepancies isn’t “clutter.” It’s what a defense is supposed to do.

The question isn’t whether the defense has offered a neat alternative theory. The question is whether the prosecution has proven, with reliable and consistent evidence, that there’s no reasonable explanation besides guilt. And based on the testimony so far, that’s far from a given. That’s not about loyalty to the defendant, but about respecting the standard that protects everyone from wrongful conviction. MOO

 

[Wishbone]

He was highlighting what he wanted the witness to say/discuss. Could Dr Russell have not done her own highlighting? Seems very suspect to me and a window into how the defense does things. I also found her testimony on how she became connected to the case very suspect and her over-inflated opinions of her expertise...again JMO.

I just believe she made a great witness. Can't say I know anything about highlighters. JMOO

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

I just believe she made a great witness. Can't say I know anything about highlighters. JMOO

RBBM -- Thought we were talking about Highlights magazines for a minute.

 

[sunshineray]

I just believe she made a great witness. Can't say I know anything about highlighters. JMOO

It was in Dr Russell's cross examination. Attorney Alessi did the highlighting of things in her report to talk about, not the witness herself. I believe the defense helped fashion her testimony on scientific dog bite "expert" opinions. MO

 

[Amber29]

OMG! Another 1/2 day and a day off.
How hot is it in Mass.? In South LA. we experience 100+ degrees with 100% humidity.

I never want to hear a northerner make fun of us Texans closing for snow on the ground. They canceled court today because it’s “too hot” and the fans are too loud. someone tell the judge it’s June and only gets hotter from here…
They maybe need to invest in some bladeless quiet fans if this is such an issue. I can’t see how we are in week 6 of this case and say “we are ahead of schedule” everytime she wants to end early or cancel the whole day. I would be so annoyed if I was missing work for this.

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

It was in Dr Russell's cross examination. Attorney Alessi did the highlighting of things in her report to talk about, not the witness herself. I believe the defense helped fashion her testimony on scientific dog bite "expert" opinions. MO

Just like Brennan met with and practiced his witnesses' testimony. Lets not act like lawyers don't speak with the witnesses they are going to bring to trial. JMO

 

[AngTxGal]

Just talking and being coached, actually picking what a witness will answer are two very different things, MO. So is sharing information between witnesses, MO. That's what I believe occured and hopefully it will be looked into by the court, at a later date.

I watched attorney Emily D Baker react to Russell and the sequestration question issue.
An interesting take-
Emily said because Russell is hired as an expert witness, and was being evasive, Brennan could ask about her memory.
She needs to be ready to answer all questions posed to her.

Alexis- should know better not to discuss with witness. Evidently he at least coached her to ask to see a copy of the transcript of her prior testimony when Brennan’s is asking about what she testified to in Trial 1.

IMO

 

[waterslyd]

90. So sorry

The courthouse may not have air conditioning, a lot of places in New England, including schools, don't.

 

[AngTxGal]

I never want to hear a northerner make fun of us Texans closing for snow on the ground. They canceled court today because it’s “too hot” and the fans are too loud. someone tell the judge it’s June and only gets hotter from here…
They maybe need to invest in some bladeless quiet fans if this is such an issue. I can’t see how we are in week 6 of this case and say “we are ahead of schedule” everytime she wants to end early or cancel the whole day. I would be so annoyed if I was missing work for this.

I thought the same thing, getting crap from my son in Colorado when I’m whining about the cold.
But…
That small courtroom with people in suits, who can’t take break to get water often, and not good circulation of air could get pretty uncomfortable. Maybe that is why Brennan and Russell were testy?

Claustrophobia would be a nightmare in that situation- hot sweaty air- ugh!

IMO

 

[lohrtabitha]

Defense witnesses - thus far and is Green up tomorrow

-- Matthew DiSogra, engineer vehicle data/DeltaV
Tasked to review and critique CW’s witness SB’s report
Generated no report of his own
Did not challenge key cycles 1162-1 or 1162-2
Challenged timestamp variances


-- Jonathan Diamandis, friend of MP
Why not call MP...

It's already known, that MP said "she waffled him", ... Maybe they are avoiding the attorney client privilege text messages he saw?

-- Kelly Dever, Boston PD
Testified that the defense threatened her with perjury if she did not say what they wanted her to say on the stand.

-- Dr. Marie Russell, Ret. ER doctor
Wanted to incorporate herself into a high-profile case for publicity
Violated the sequestration order
Not a dog expert
Alessi helped her with her testimony


-- Sgt. Nicholas Barros, Dighton police
His testimony changed from trial one
Memory does not get better as time goes on
Its suspect for Sgt. to have driven from Dighton to Boston in order to speak w/Jackson, could have spoken via phone.

-- Brian Loughran, snowplow driver
“I saw nothing”
Saw no dumpster
Several drive bys of snowplow truck seen on video; not truthful about trying to watch events unfold.
Perjury

Karina Kolokithas, friend of KR, Knew Matt and Jen McCabe through youth sports for about 10 years
Witness added nothing for the defense, confirmation of what a great man John O’Keefe was.
Kiss on the forehead. Is the jury to believe this set off BH? Adds insult to their (jurors') intelligence.
Why testify: ex: Possible there may have been past issues over youth sports issues; parents can get quite passionate if kid isn’t getting enough play time.


Summary: Defense attempting to clutter the commonwealth’s case. Defense apparently desperate. Will see what else they got, but, theyre suspect thus far. Not a good track record. jmo, as always

Brennan cluttered the whole CW case by himself. As it was shown in an early post today, the court reporter said the jurrors were bored every time he opened his mouth.moo

 

[LittleSeaTree]

She corrected that she left hours before the Lexus was even brought in. The defense did not argue that was incorrect, not a question about her time frame at work being wrong. They didn't bring it up. Why would that be if Officer Dever was testifying incorrectly? There's probably video of her leaving, possibly even getting in her car and leaving. There's probably lots of cameras in and around the police station, AJMO.

Point being, whether challenged by defense or not, she has stated 2 things that cannot be true at the same time. Also known as possessing zero credibility, joining in on the ‘what answers should we give/let’s deliver lots n lots of discrepancies bc we can’t all have one truthful story’ circus, imo.

 

[Teche]

90. So sorry

Haha! We welcome 90 degrees. Went to school and college without air conditioning.

 

[Teche]

I never want to hear a northerner make fun of us Texans closing for snow on the ground. They canceled court today because it’s “too hot” and the fans are too loud. someone tell the judge it’s June and only gets hotter from here…
They maybe need to invest in some bladeless quiet fans if this is such an issue. I can’t see how we are in week 6 of this case and say “we are ahead of schedule” everytime she wants to end early or cancel the whole day. I would be so annoyed if I was missing work for this.

Lol, another southerner. This is cool weather for us.

 

[BUF]

I just believe she made a great witness. Can't say I know anything about highlighters. JMOO

Yes, Dr. Russell was a great witness. As incredibly smart as this extremely well educated woman is, I believe she just wasn’t electronically savvy and needed help highlighting the passages she picked out in her report and Alessi was kind enough to help.

 

[jepop]

Yes, Dr. Russell was a great witness. As incredibly smart as this extremely well educated woman is, I believe she just wasn’t electronically savvy and needed help highlighting the passages she picked out in her report and Alessi was kind enough to help.

Exactly this. And those who support the defense in this case are meant to be conspiracists??.

Last year Lally made a point of getting stuck into Dr Russell during her pre-testimony voir dire because she had some difficulty downloading a document from drop box sent to her by the defense. Dr Russell spent much of her working life in the pre digital era and Lally was just being unnecessarily mean and petty on that occasion. Moo

 

[cocomod]

My opinion only, TB and his minions were more then just wrong in their actions, they acted with criminality, MO. The defense wants everything both ways, IMO. They want to encourage and use these social media zealots and their followers on one hand and then disassociate from them when needed. I wonder how many communicates exist that would show association and collaboration.
Just my views and opinion.

It also seems Lucky had quite a few meetings with the defense before and after his testimonies and as Attorney Brennan showed in his cross examination, Lucky's testimonies conflicted each other on the issues. AJMO

You have been listening to Brennan for too long and eating the crap he is dishing out. It is very, very standard for an attorney to meet with a witness prior to testimony. It is also very, very standard for an attorney to meet with an expert before trial. One thing that is usually discussed is court protocol. They talk to and instruct the witness to answer yes or no, do not expound. They also go over questions likely to be asked; one reason is so that the attorney isn't surprised by the answer given.