Thu May 29 13:50:00 UTC 2025: **FOX News Alert: Karen Read Retrial Continues, Judge Limits Defense Questioning of Expert Witness**
**Dedham, MA -** The Karen Read retrial resumed today at Norfolk Superior Court, with Judge Beverly Cannone denying a request from the defense to broaden their cross-examination of accident reconstruction expert Dr. Judson Welcher. Read is accused of second degree murder in the January 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, during a winter blizzard. The prosecution alleges Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV, while the defense maintains her innocence and claims he was never struck by the vehicle.
The first trial ended in a mistrial last year due to a deadlocked jury.
During proceedings yesterday, Dr. Welcher testified that O’Keefe’s injuries were consistent with being struck by a Lexus SUV and also coming into contact with a hard surface like frozen ground. He also claimed that injuries on O’Keefe’s arm lined up with the vehicle’s shattered taillight.
Defense attorney Robert Alessi attempted to question Dr. Welcher about the testimony of a state trooper from the first trial and the findings of Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, the medical examiner who performed O’Keefe’s autopsy. Dr. Scordi-Bello previously testified that O’Keefe’s head injury was consistent with a fall and did not definitively rule the death a homicide. However, special prosecutor Hank Brennan argued against the motion and Judge Cannone ruled in favor of the prosecution.
Alessi pressed Welcher on the stand questioning whether he knew for sure how O’Keefe suffered his injuries and on changes he made to his expert report in the days before taking the witness stand.
The cross-examination of Dr. Welcher is expected to continue on Thursday following a brief evidentiary hearing. This is Day 23 of the retrial.
First Piper 