Dedham, Massachusetts, June 11, 2025 – The high-profile retrial of Karen Read, accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend John O’Keefe in January 2022, is approaching its conclusion as the defense called its final witness, biomechanist Dr. Andrew Rentschler, on Tuesday, June 10. The trial, which has captivated national attention with its dueling narratives of a tragic accident versus a law enforcement cover-up, is expected to move to closing arguments and jury deliberations as early as Friday, June 13.
Defense’s Final Push
Dr. Rentschler, a biomechanist from the engineering firm ARCCA, testified that O’Keefe’s injuries—a skull fracture and arm lacerations—are inconsistent with being struck by Read’s 2021 Lexus LX 570 SUV, as alleged by prosecutors. He argued that a 15 mph collision with a taillight would not cause a skull fracture like O’Keefe’s, which experts for both sides have described as consistent with a backward fall onto a rigid surface. Rentschler, alongside forensic pathologist Dr. Elizabeth Laposata and ARCCA colleague Dr. Daniel Wolfe, also testified that scratches on O’Keefe’s arm were not caused by a vehicle impact, challenging the prosecution’s claim that Read hit O’Keefe and left him to die in a blizzard outside a Canton home at 34 Fairview Road.
The defense’s case, which began on May 30 after nearly six weeks of prosecution testimony, has focused on casting doubt on the investigation and suggesting O’Keefe was beaten inside the home of fellow Boston officer Brian Albert. Key defense witnesses included:
- Matthew DiSogra, an accident reconstruction expert, who testified that vehicle data from Read’s SUV showed no collision, contradicting the prosecution’s timeline.
- Brian Loughran, a Canton snowplow driver, who said he passed the scene multiple times between 2:40 a.m. and 6 a.m. on January 29, 2022, and saw no body but noted a Ford Edge SUV parked outside, which he found unusual.
- Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, who asserted O’Keefe’s skull fracture resulted from a fall, not a vehicle strike, and suggested his arm injuries resembled animal bites, though Judge Beverly Cannone limited testimony about dog bites.
- Jonathan Diamandis, a friend of former lead investigator Michael Proctor, who confirmed Proctor’s derogatory texts about Read, reinforcing claims of a biased investigation.
Read, 45, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death. Her first trial in 2024 ended in a hung jury, and the retrial has leaned heavily on expert testimony to challenge the prosecution’s narrative that Read, after a night of drinking, intentionally backed into O’Keefe and abandoned him.
Prosecution’s Case and Rebuttal Plans
Prosecutors, led by special prosecutor Hank Brennan, rested their case on June 5 after presenting evidence including Read’s broken taillight, O’Keefe’s DNA on her SUV, and voicemails where Read expressed anger toward O’Keefe. First responders testified that Read said, “I hit him,” at the scene, though her defense argues these statements were mischaracterized or reflect her confusion. The prosecution is expected to call rebuttal witnesses, potentially including former trooper Michael Proctor, whose offensive texts about Read led to his dismissal and have been central to the defense’s claim of a flawed investigation.
Key Developments and Controversy
The trial has been marked by intense scrutiny of the investigation’s integrity. The defense has highlighted Proctor’s ties to the Albert family and his failure to search the Fairview Road home, suggesting a cover-up involving law enforcement. They’ve pointed to O’Keefe’s injuries, the absence of expected bruising from a vehicle strike, and the presence of a Ford Edge SUV as evidence of an alternative explanation. However, posts on X indicate skepticism from some observers, with one user claiming the defense lacks evidence of a third-party culprit and relies on critiquing police work.
Read has opted not to testify, a decision legal experts like Grace Edwards support due to the risk of a rigorous cross-examination exposing her public statements or drinking history. The case has also sparked public fervor, with supporters rallying outside Norfolk Superior Court, some holding “Free Karen Read” signs, and social media platforms like TikTok amplifying conspiracy theories.
What’s Next?
Rentschler’s testimony continued into Wednesday, June 11, with the defense expected to rest afterward. The prosecution’s rebuttal witnesses and closing arguments are slated to follow, with Judge Cannone indicating deliberations could begin by Friday. The case’s outcome hinges on whether jurors find reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s evidence, particularly given the defense’s focus on expert testimony and investigative missteps.
