Karen Read, accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend John O’Keefe, has decided not to testify in her own defense, leaving the case to rely on the testimony of a biomechanical engineer who is challenging the prosecution’s theory about how O’Keefe sustained fatal injuries. Read, who is currently under trial in Dedham, Massachusetts, revealed her decision to reporters outside the courthouse on Tuesday, indicating her readiness for the jury to take over the case after 30 days of testimony.
Read’s legal team is now preparing to present the final witness, who is a forensic expert in trauma injuries, to dispute the prosecution’s claim that O’Keefe’s injuries resulted from a fall following a collision with Read’s SUV. The defense has also highlighted the expert testimony of Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, a forensic pathologist who testified that the nature of O’Keefe’s injuries does not align with the theory of a backward fall. Laposata has suggested that the injuries could have occurred from a different impact, which challenges the prosecution’s assertion of the events leading to O’Keefe’s death.
Laposata, who is a professor at Brown University’s medical school, has a complex background. Her previous role as the chief medical examiner of Rhode Island was marred by allegations of an audit that found an extensive backlog in autopsy reports and a delayed response to a nightclub fire that killed 100 people. These allegations, which were raised by prosecutors during a hearing without jurors, have led to a discussion about her credibility as an expert witness. The courtroom has seen a dynamic tension between the defense and the prosecution as their respective experts present conflicting views on the cause of O’Keefe’s injuries.
During the trial, the prosecution has been attempting to bring up the past of Laposata to impeach her as a witness, but the court has limited the use of unrelated cases. Laposata herself has denied the allegations of wrongdoing, stating that the media coverage of the nightclub fire was unfounded and that she was not involved in the incident. She has continued her testimony, emphasizing the nature of the injuries and the possibility that O’Keefe’s death could have resulted from a different cause than the prosecution’s theory.
The trial continues to be a focal point for legal experts and the public, with the potential for significant implications depending on the jury’s decision. As the case nears its conclusion, the arguments presented by both sides will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of Karen Read’s murder trial.