Briefing Document: Karen Read Murder Retrial - Nearing Conclusion

Date: June 12, 2025

Overview: The Karen Read murder retrial, involving the death of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, is nearing its conclusion. After 31 days of testimony, the defense has officially rested its case, with closing arguments scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2025. The retrial has been marked by a battle of expert witnesses, contentious cross-examinations, and the defense's persistent claim that Read was framed by police, alleging a conspiracy. This briefing summarizes the key developments, defense and prosecution arguments, and procedural aspects as the case heads to the jury.

Key Themes and Important Facts:

1. Defense Rests Case; Closing Arguments Set for Friday

• After 31 days of testimony, the defense in the Karen Read retrial has rested its case. (Karen Read Retrian latest with Jeff Monosso - Alabama's Morning News with JT | iHeart, Defense Rests Case in Second Trial of Karen Read for Boston Police Officer Boyfriend's Death - Rhode Island PBS)

• A procedural hearing took place on June 12, 2025, to "hammer out jury instructions" and verdict forms. (Karen Read Retrian latest with Jeff Monosso - Alabama's Morning News with JT | iHeart, Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

• Closing arguments are scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2025. Each side will be allotted 75 minutes. (Charge conference in Karen Read trial today; closing arguments expected Friday - NBC Boston, Karen Read's retrial: Attorneys, judge meet ahead of closing arguments. Here's what happened - Boston 25 News)

• Karen Read, a 45-year-old adjunct professor at Bentley University, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges in connection to O'Keefe's 2022 death. (Karen Read Retrian latest with Jeff Monosso - Alabama's Morning News with JT | iHeart)

• Read did not testify in her own defense. (Karen Read Retrian latest with Jeff Monosso - Alabama's Morning News with JT | iHeart, TikTok: Read Trial Update Today Kristina Rex)

2. Core Arguments: Prosecution vs. Defense

• Prosecution's Allegation: Prosecutors allege that Read "hit O’Keefe with their SUV during a snowstorm following a night of drinking." (Karen Read Retrian latest with Jeff Monosso - Alabama's Morning News with JT | iHeart)

• They contend that Read's taillight "clipped O’Keefe in the arm, throwing him backwards before his head hit the ground." (Karen Read's retrial: Attorneys, judge meet ahead of closing arguments. Here's what happened - Boston 25 News)

• Defense's Theory (Framing and Conspiracy): The defense team has long argued that Read was "framed for O’Keefe’s murder" and that "police bungled the investigation." (Karen Read Retrian latest with Jeff Monosso - Alabama's Morning News with JT | iHeart)

• Their theory posits that O'Keefe "was beaten inside the home where the party took place, and that he was bitten by a family dog and then left outside as part of a conspiracy by the police that included planting evidence against Read." (Defense Rests Case in Second Trial of Karen Read for Boston Police Officer Boyfriend's Death - Rhode Island PBS)

• Defense attorney Alan Jackson alluded to "planting evidence" during cross-examination. (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

• Judge Cannone denied the defense's request to introduce a "third-party culprit argument during closing," but allowed them to tell the jury "that the police investigation into O’Keefe’s death was flawed." (Karen Read's retrial: Attorneys, judge meet ahead of closing arguments. Here's what happened - Boston 25 News)

3. Battle of Expert Witnesses

• Defense Experts:

• Dr. Elizabeth Laposata (Former Medical Examiner): Testified that O'Keefe's injuries were "consistent with blunt force trauma to the back of the head, but that his eye wounds were not consistent with being hit by the rear of Read’s SUV." She "did not think O’Keefe was hit by the SUV at all." (Defense Rests Case in Second Trial of Karen Read for Boston Police Officer Boyfriend's Death - Rhode Island PBS, Karen Read's retrial: Attorneys, judge meet ahead of closing arguments. Here's what happened - Boston 25 News)

• Dr. Andrew Rentschler (Biomechanist from ARCCA): Testified there is "no evidence to show a collision ever happened" and that there is "no science to back the prosecution's theory." (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

• He noted the "number of abrasions on his skin not matching the number of tears in his sleeve," and the "lack of any bone breaks or fractures even minimal bruising to his arm," which he says "proves there's no possible way he was hit by a 6,000lb vehicle." (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

• Rentschler also "systemically dismantled what Welchure called the blue paint test," stating you "can't say with any scientific certainty that that area of paint corresponds to where the abrasions are" if measurements aren't taken. (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

• The FBI initially commissioned ARCCA for a report, but the jury will not be told about the FBI's involvement as it is "highly prejudicial." Karen Read's team paid for ARCCA's testimony in both trials. (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

• Prosecution's Approach:

• The prosecution did not call rebuttal witnesses after the defense rested, a decision that surprised some legal analysts. (Karen Read Retrian latest with Jeff Monosso - Alabama's Morning News with JT | iHeart, Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

• Legal analyst Neil Fagger suggested the prosecution "thought enough was enough and it's ready to go on to closing arguments." (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

4. Previous Trial and Mistrial

• Read's first trial ended in a "hung jury" and a mistrial due to the jury's inability to reach a unanimous verdict. (Karen Read Retrian latest with Jeff Monosso - Alabama's Morning News with JT | iHeart, Recap: Lawyers appear in court for hearing, closing arguments set for Friday in Karen Read trial - NBC Boston)

• A second attempt for a mistrial in the current trial was denied. (Billy's News - June 10, 2025 - Billy & Lisa in the Morning - iHeart, Billy's News - June 5, 2025 - Billy & Lisa in the Morning - iHeart, Defense Rests Case in Second Trial of Karen Read for Boston Police Officer Boyfriend's Death - Rhode Island PBS)

• Karen Read commented on the importance of the verdict slip being correct this time, stating, "Very important, as I learned the hard way." (Karen Read's retrial: Attorneys, judge meet ahead of closing arguments. Here's what happened - Boston 25 News)

5. Courtroom Dynamics and Juror Perception

• The trial has been marked by "tense moments during cross-examination" and heated exchanges between defense attorney Alan Jackson and special prosecutor Hank Brennan. (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?, Karen Read's retrial: Attorneys, judge meet ahead of closing arguments. Here's what happened - Boston 25 News)

• One courtroom observer noted that the "lawyering" and frequent sidebars were visibly wearing on the jury, who appeared to be "getting done with it." (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

• The credibility of expert witnesses is crucial, with legal analysts noting the jury must evaluate "whether what they think at the end of the day has a solid basis in both expertise as well as science." (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

• The "gender distribution at the end of the day on the final 12 is going to really be important," as some female jurors reportedly reacted favorably to the female expert witnesses called by the defense. (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next!)

6. Discredited Police Testimony and Other Details

• Trooper Michael Proctor, whose testimony played a key role in the first trial, was fired in March 2025 after a disciplinary board found he "sent sexist and crude text messages about Read to his family and colleagues." Defense attorneys used these texts to argue Proctor was biased and ignored other suspects. (Defense Rests Case in Second Trial of Karen Read for Boston Police Officer Boyfriend's Death - Rhode Island PBS)

• John O'Keefe was a 46-year-old Boston police officer for 16 years and the legal guardian of his niece and nephew after they lost their parents. (Defense resting after heated end to testimony | What's next?)

Outlook: With the defense resting and no rebuttal witnesses from the prosecution, the case is poised to go to the jury after closing arguments on Friday. The outcome hinges on which set of expert testimonies the jury finds more credible and whether the defense successfully created reasonable doubt regarding the prosecution's theory and the integrity of the police investigation.

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