Mon Jun 02 13:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Defense Team Calls Accident Reconstruction Expert in Karen Read Murder Trial
**Dedham, MA** – Testimony resumed Friday in the Karen Read murder trial, with the defense calling its first witness, accident reconstruction engineer Matthew DiSogra, to the stand. DiSogra’s testimony challenges the prosecution’s timeline of events, specifically the analysis presented by forensic scientist Shanon Burgess.
Read, 45, is accused of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a crime in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, in January 2022. Prosecutors allege Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him in the snow after a night of drinking. The defense maintains Read is innocent, claiming she was framed by Massachusetts police officers in a conspiracy.
DiSogra testified that inconsistencies in phone and vehicle data suggest the last lock event on O’Keefe’s phone occurred after Read’s car allegedly made a backup maneuver. The testimony undermines Burgess’ findings, which are crucial to the prosecution’s timeline. The defense also presented evidence suggesting similar events recorded by Read’s vehicle were not triggered by a collision.
Earlier in the day, the defense sought to introduce text messages from former lead investigator Michael Proctor, alleging they contained derogatory comments about Read. The judge deferred ruling on the admissibility of the text messages until Monday.
After DiSogra’s testimony, the defense moved to dismiss all charges against Read, arguing the prosecution failed to prove a collision occurred or that Read intended to kill O’Keefe. The motion was denied by Judge Beverly Cannone.
The trial is a retrial after a hung jury in 2024.
First Piper 