VERDICT WATCH MA - Professor Karen Read, 43, charged with murdering police officer boyfriend John O'Keefe by hitting him with car, Canton, 14 Apr 2023 #35 Retrial

[missy1974]

I "think" .. the defense spoke to some of the jurors from last trial.. what was important to them and mattered or would have mattered in their decision. They have been extremely lucky to get that insight from many of the 1st trial jurors. All JMO

 

[Younger Sister]

'Sallyport camera footage cuts out'

and do not forget IMO the combative/unbelievable Kelly Deaver "false memory" testimony".

 

[nodamselindistress]

Judge says she is trying to cut down on length of jury instructions, they are too long

 

[Angelwatch]

Haha. CW arguing the defense shouldn’t be allowed to make a Bowden instruction. No surprise with this one. Says there’s no basis.

 

[turaj]

Jury isn't there today, closings will be tomorrow.

should of course be FRIDAY.

 

[missy1974]

Haha. CW arguing the defense shouldn’t be allowed to make a Bowden instruction. No surprise with this one. Says there’s no basis.

The judge seemed more than willing to add it to the jury instructions... I was surprised lol

 

[Forest_Wood]

Oh yes, the Aruba incident never came into testimony. It wasn't relevant anyway!

 

[bobbymkii]

Surprised to see Lally answering the defense's motion this morning.

I think it's quite normal for a co-counsel to argue motions like this. Don't completely take my word for it though IANAL.

 

[nodamselindistress]

Oh yes, the Aruba incident never came into testimony. It wasn't relevant anyway!

Pretty sure I heard something about it....maybe just the texts between KR and Higgy?

 

[Forest_Wood]

Pretty sure I heard something about it....maybe just the texts between KR and Higgy?

Oh yes, and BC just said that Kayley brought it up. I was referring to having a witness testify like they did last trial, with the sisters proclaiming what happened.

 

[kuromiiiilove]

Commonwealth withdraws its request for a consciousness of guilt instruction to the jury!!

 

[Forest_Wood]

I'm surprised this is such a collaborative meeting! I didn't realize the instructions of a case was done in such cooperation between the court/defense/prosecution.

 

[ShadyLady]

Oh yes, the Aruba incident never came into testimony. It wasn't relevant anyway!

Did Chloe make much of an appearance this time? I can't remember.

 

[BUF]

The judge seemed more than willing to add it to the jury instructions... I was surprised lol

Me too!

 

[Wishbone]

Did Chloe make much of an appearance this time? I can't remember.

I just remember hearing her name is now cora

 

[missy1974]

Did Chloe make much of an appearance this time? I can't remember.

I recall it coming up in YB's testimony. And a note/letter or something from the vet? but it was very vague IIRC

 

[missy1974]

testimony about chloe...

 

[Dawookie]

Commonwealth withdraws its request for a consciousness of guilt instruction to the jury!!

What exactly does this mean?

 

[kuromiiiilove]

What exactly does this mean?

It means the CW is no longer asking the judge to tell the jury that certain actions by Karen Read (like fleeing, lying, hiding evidence, etc.) could be interpreted as signs she knew she was guilty. Consciousness of guilt instruction is usually used to frame behavior (like deleting texts, calling a lawyer, acting frantic) as suspicious or incriminating. By pulling back that request, the CW is basically conceding that they can’t confidently argue she acted like someone who knew she committed a crime. They basically just admitted they don’t have a strong case for claiming her behavior after John’s death proves she knew she was guilty.

All MOO

ETA: Karen didn’t do things like fleeing, deleting texts, etc. Those are just examples of things that could be used as consciousness of guilt in a theoretical case.

 

[missy1974]

What exactly does this mean?

(a) Criminal cases​

In a criminal case, the Commonwealth may offer evidence of a defendant’s conduct that occurred subsequent to the commission of the crime if

• (1) the evidence reflects a state of consciousness of guilt;
• (2) the evidence supports the inference that the defendant committed the act charged;
• (3) the evidence is, with other evidence, together with reasonable inferences, sufficient to prove guilt; and
• (4) the inflammatory nature of the conduct does not substantially outweigh its probative value.

Evidence of consciousness of guilt alone is not sufficient to support a verdict or finding of guilt. The judge should instruct the jury accordingly.

**** I believe it had something to do with her statements in interviews, or that is what the CW said.

https://www.mass.gov/guide-to-evidence/section-1110-consciousness-of-guilt-or-liability