Karen Read trial judge questions jury members privately after "issue" comes up
Testimony in the Karen Read trial was delayed to start the day Wednesday after Judge Beverly Cannone said that she needed to question jurors individually about an issue that was brought to her attention. After about 90 minutes, witness testimony resumed with all jurors still present.
Jury issue in Karen Read trial
The 20th day of testimony was scheduled to begin inside Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts at 9 a.m. About a half hour after the scheduled start time, Cannone told the jurors she would be sending them back to the deliberation room and calling them back to sidebar one by one.
Cameras were shut off while the jurors were questioned.
"An issue has come to my attention that is going to make it necessary that I talk to each one of you individually over at sidebar with counsel. So that process will take a little while," Cannone said.
Just before 11 a.m., all 18 jurors returned, though two had switched seats. Cannone said she needed to stress that it is very important that no one discuss the case with each other outside of court.
"I do need to stress for you that it's very, very important that no one discuss this case. Don't let anyone talk to you about the case. No comments about the case," Cannone said. "You've seen how hard the lawyers have worked to pull this case together for you and everybody has given it so much time. So please let's makes sure that we follow that. That means each other."
John O'Keefe's injuries
Dr. Aizik Wolf, a neurosurgeon, then took the stand as the first witness of the day.
Special prosecutor Hank Brennan has been handling most of direct questioning of witnesses. Defense attorneys Alan Jackson, David Yannetti and Bob Alessi have split cross-examination duties.
Wolf was scheduled to testify at a different point in the trial, but his appearance was moved to Wednesday morning because he has four surgeries scheduled for Thursday.
A graduate of Yale, Wolf reviewed the medical examiner's report after O'Keefe's death.
He described the laceration to the back of O'Keefe's head as an injury that typically happens when soft tissue hits the solid ground.
"It's a classic blunt trauma laceration," Wolf said.
Brennan asked Wolf if the injury could be caused by O'Keefe falling backwards and hitting his head.
"My opinion is that's what caused his whole injury," Wolf said.
Prosecutors have attempted to show that Read backed her SUV into O'Keefe and upon impact he fell backwards and hit the back of his head on the frozen ground.
Wolf also testified that O'Keefe's swollen eyelids could have been a result of the impact to the back of his head.
Dr. Aizik Wolf cross-examined
Alessi began his brief cross-examination after about 45 minutes of direct questioning from Brennan.
The defense attorney asked Wolf about his typical day and if any of it involves forensic pathology.
"You could have asked that question very straightforward. I am not a forensic pathologist. I'm a brain surgeon," Wolf said.
"And you don't perform autopsies, correct sir? You're a brain surgeon," Alessi responded.
"In other words, I see more brains than the forensic pathologist," Wolf said.
Alessi concluded his cross-examination after only about 10 minutes.
"I think overwhelmingly he was good for the Commonwealth," WBZ legal analyst Katherine Loftus said of Dr. Wolf's testimony. "We saw that he was only cross-examined really for a few minutes by Attorney Alessi."
Karen Read forensic evidence
Massachusetts Crime Lab forensic scientist Christina Hanley, who analyzed a drinking glass and taillight fragments from the scene in Canton, took the stand briefly on Tuesday. She stepped down at the end of the day and the decision was made to allow Wolf to testify first Wednesday morning.
Hanley returned Wednesday afternoon once Wolf's testimony was finished. She was questioned on direct by Adam Lally, the lead prosecutor from the first trial.
She showed photographs of how she was able to piece together smaller portions of materials found on Fairview Road. Hanley was able to fit together pieces of taillight, and also several pieces of a broken cocktail glass.
Hanley testified about tiny pieces of red and clear plastic found in debris with O'Keefe's sweatshirt. She said its characteristics match the taillight or another plastic item with the same properties.
During cross-examination, Jackson pointed out that glass on the bumper did not match the cocktail glass found near O'Keefe.
"Nothing on the bumper matched the cup," Karen Read said outside court. "One piece on the bumper matched a piece found the second week in February by the former Trooper Michael Proctor."
Read said it was still to be determined if her team plans to call Proctor to testify.
Karen Read trial
The prosecution's case against Read is nearly wrapping up. "I feel great, I'm anxious. I'm ready to put on our case," Read said outside court Wednesday.
Read is accused of hitting and killing Boston police officer John O'Keefe, who she was dating, with her SUV. O'Keefe's body was found in the snow outside Brian Albert's home at 34 Fairview Road in Canton in January 2022. The defense says O'Keefe was actually killed during a fight inside the home, then dragged outside and left in the yard.
Wednesday was the final full day of witness testimony for the week. A half day was scheduled for Thursday, but Cannone said the trial is moving "ahead of schedule" and gave jurors the day off. No court is scheduled for Friday or Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Court will be back in session next Tuesday, with full days of testimony expected every day except for Thursday. The judge again reminded jurors not to talk about the case.
"It's very important that you don't discuss this case with anyone. Don't say a word," Cannone said. "Watch your social media this weekend as well."
Karen Read trial latest
On Tuesday, forensic analyst Shanon Burgess completed his testimony after two days on the stand. He spoke about the movements of Read's Lexus SUV on the night of O'Keefe's death. The defense called into question Burgess' credentials and methodology during a lengthy and at times tense cross-examination.
Read, 45, has pleaded not guilty in the case to charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death. She stood trial in 2024, but it ended with a mistrial due to hung jury.
