The high-profile Karen Read murder retrial resumed today with dramatic testimony and heated legal arguments as Day 26 unfolded in Norfolk Superior Court. The defense’s central witness, Dr. Marie Russell, a retired emergency physician and forensic pathologist, returned to the stand for further cross-examination after testifying that John O’Keefe’s injuries were consistent with a dog attack—not being struck by Read’s SUV.
Read, accused of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene, is alleged to have fatally struck her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with her vehicle in 2022 and left him in the snow outside a Canton, Massachusetts home. The defense maintains O’Keefe was instead killed during a fight inside the house and bitten by a dog, pointing to what they claim is a police cover-up.
Tensions rose this morning when the defense moved for a mistrial, arguing the prosecution improperly referenced the absence of dog DNA during questioning. Judge Beverly Cannone denied the request, allowing the trial to proceed. Prosecutors challenged Dr. Russell’s credentials as a dog bite expert, noting she has only testified in this capacity for Read’s trials and highlighting her involvement began after reading about the case in the news.
Testimony is scheduled to continue through the afternoon, with the defense calling additional witnesses as they build their case. The first trial ended in a mistrial after a hung jury, making every moment of this retrial critical for both sides.
Watch the ongoing proceedings live on Court TV or CBS News Boston for the latest updates as the case continues to grip the region and the nation..
