The Right Side of Wrong: Karen Read Trials

Comprehensive Evidence Analysis & Trial Timeline

Case Status: Concluded - Verdict Reached June 18, 2025

Verdict: Not Guilty of Murder, Convicted of OUI | Sentence: 1 year probation, 24D alcohol education

Trial Duration: 31 days (April 22 - June 13, 2025) | Jury Deliberation: 5 days

Comprehensive analysis of both trials with complete source documentation

Bayesian Analysis Daily Trial Timeline GitHub
# Fact Summary 1st Trial (2024)
Prosecution		 1st Trial (2024)
Defense		 Retrial (2025)
Prosecution		 Retrial (2025)
Defense
1 John O’Keefe found dead outside 34 Fairview Rd, ~6 a.m., Jan 29, 2022, during snowstorm1 Read reversed her Lexus, struck O’Keefe, left him in the snow1 O’Keefe was beaten inside the house, body staged outside2 Intentional strike; used Read's documentary statements as evidence1 "More robust" defense case; focus on Proctor misconduct2
2 Blunt-force head injuries, hypothermia, abrasions on right arm3 Injuries match SUV collision3 Pattern fits dog bites/assault, not car4 Dr. Wolf: no jaw/facial fractures = fall, not assault3 DiSogra expert: no SUV techstream events from collision4
3 Broken Lexus taillight; matching plastic on lawn & clothes5 Physical match proves Lexus strike5 Fragments broke later or were planted6 Same physical-match emphasis5 Same planting/chain-of-custody attack6
4 Vehicle data: reverse shift & 24 mph spike at 12:45 a.m.7 Indicates purposeful, high-speed reverse7 Data ambiguous; analyst unqualified8 Same trooper testifies7 Same criticisms; exclusion motion denied8
5 Witnesses (EMT, Jen McCabe) heard Read say “I hit him”9 Admission of guilt9 She actually asked “Did I hit him?”10 Same testimony repeated9 Same rebuttal; witness credibility attacked10
6 Google search “how long to die in cold”11 6:23 a.m. search at Read’s request11 Actually 2:27 a.m.—shows prior knowledge12 Second expert backs 6:24 a.m.11 Defense still argues 2:27 a.m. artifact12
7 Apple Health/Waze data from victim’s phone13 Phone stayed in Lexus—supports car-strike13 Step count shows he walked inside14 Cell-site analyst: phone remained in yard13 Defense still highlights step-count anomaly14
8 Snow-plow driver saw no body on lawn15 Visibility poor; observation inconclusive15 Supports staging theory & contradicts timeline16 State stresses color-blindness & snow15 Defense same staging use16
9 Evidence collected with leaf-blower, Solo cups, grocery bags17 Rapid action justified by storm17 Shows sloppy, biased police work18 Officers reiterate same methods17 Defense doubles down on contamination claim18
10 52 unanswered calls & 8 angry voicemails left by Read19 Shows rage & jealousy motive19 Shows frantic search; anger ≠ murder20 Jurors hear audio for first time19 Same counter-argument with alcohol context20
11 Michael Proctor (lead investigator) fired between trials21 Proctor testified for prosecution21 Attacked his vulgar texts about Read21 Proctor not called as witness21 "Cancer that cannot be cut out"—Alan Jackson21
12 Rice-sized plastic debris found in O'Keefe's clothing22 Not previously highlighted22 Not previously highlighted22 Matches Read's taillight or "same characteristics"22 Challenges chain of custody22
13 SUV scuff mark matches O'Keefe's hip height23 General damage testimony23 General damage testimony23 Dr. Welcher: precise height match analysis23 Challenges expert methodology23
14 Timeline discrepancy: 21-29 seconds between SUV and phone clocks24 General timeline evidence24 General timeline evidence24 Device lock event at 12:31:43 a.m. shows collision24 Clock discrepancy undermines precision24
15 Jennifer McCabe emerged as central witness (3 days testimony)25 Standard witness testimony25 Standard cross-examination25 Portrayed as reliable key witness25 Painted as colluding in cover-up scheme25
16 Defense crash reconstruction expert testimony26 N/A (Not presented in first trial) N/A (Not presented in first trial) Challenged defense expert's methodology and conclusions Andrew Rentschler testified O'Keefe's injuries inconsistent with being struck by a vehicle26
17 Taillight evidence re-examination27 Taillight fragments matched to O'Keefe's injuries Fragments could have been planted or broken later Maintained taillight evidence was crucial physical evidence Defense expert testified 'no evidence' showing how taillight was broken27
18 Closing arguments (June 12-13, 2025)28 N/A (Different closing arguments) N/A (Different closing arguments) Argued Read was 'drunk, angry, and jealous' when she 'left O'Keefe to die'28 Claimed investigation was 'flawed from the start' and prosecution failed to meet burden of proof29
19 Jury instructions & deliberations30 N/A (Different jury instructions) N/A (Different jury instructions) Judge instructed jury on second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving scene charges Judge emphasized burden of proof and presumption of innocence30

Daily Trial Timeline - Karen Read Retrial 2025

Comprehensive day-by-day breakdown of witness testimony and key arguments from April 22 through June 18, 2025, covering 36 days of trial. The timeline includes the prosecution's case (Days 1-23), defense case (Days 24-30), closing arguments (Day 31), and jury deliberations (Days 32-35).

Case Outcome: Not Guilty of Murder, Convicted of OUI

Verdict Date: June 18, 2025

Charges and Findings:

  • Acquitted: Second-degree murder, Manslaughter, Leaving the scene of an accident
  • Convicted: Operating Under the Influence (OUI)

Sentence Imposed: 1 year probation, 24D alcohol education program

Jury Deliberation: 5 days (21+ hours, June 13-18, 2025)

Key Factors in the Verdict: The jury determined there was reasonable doubt regarding the fatal incident, leading to acquittal on the more serious charges. The conviction for operating under the influence was based on evidence presented during the trial. The defense's arguments about investigative flaws and evidentiary issues were influential in the outcome.

Day/Date Witnesses & Testimony Prosecution Position Defense Position Fact #
Day 1
April 22, 2025		 Witnesses: Timothy Nuttall (Canton FD), Kerry Roberts
Key Points: Nuttall found no signs of life; Roberts received "John's dead" call		 Opening: Read's admissions of intoxication & anger at O'Keefe1 Opening: "Definition of reasonable doubt"—case lacks evidence2 1, 5
Day 2
April 23, 2025		 Witnesses: Kerry Roberts (cont.), Peggy O'Keefe
Key Points: O'Keefe's mother emotional testimony about learning of death		 Establishing timeline and emotional impact of O'Keefe's death1 Highlighting inconsistencies in witness accounts2 1
Days 3-5
April 24-28, 2025		 Witnesses: Trooper Guarino, Daniel Whitley (Canton FD), Ian Whiffin (Cellebrite)
Key Points: Cell phone health data showing O'Keefe walking 12:11-12:30 a.m.; Google search timeline analysis		 Phone stayed in yard all night—supports car-strike theory13 Step count shows he walked inside house14 6, 7
Days 6-8
April 29-May 1, 2025		 Witness: Jennifer McCabe (3 days)
Key Points: "I hit him, I hit him, I hit him" statement; search for O'Keefe before finding body		 McCabe is reliable witness; Read's statements are admissions of guilt25 McCabe colluding in cover-up scheme25 5, 6, 15
Days 9-15
May 5-13, 2025		 Witnesses: Law enforcement, digital experts, Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello
Key Points: Medical examiner on O'Keefe injuries; texts with ATF Agent Higgins		 Injuries match vehicle collision pattern3 Pattern fits assault/dog bites, not car4 2, 10
Days 16-20
May 14-20, 2025		 Witness: Shanon Burgess (Aperture)
Key Points: Previously unexamined SUV computer chip; 21-29 second clock discrepancy		 Reverse shift & 24 mph spike at 12:45 a.m. shows impact7 Data ambiguous; analyst unqualified8 4, 14
Day 21
May 21, 2025		 Witness: State Police trace analyst
Key Points: Rice-sized plastic debris in O'Keefe's clothing matches taillight		 Physical match proves Lexus strike22 Challenges chain of custody and evidence handling22 3, 12
Days 22-23
May 27-28, 2025		 Witness: Dr. Judson Welcher
Key Points: SUV scuff mark matches O'Keefe's hip height; injuries consistent with Lexus strike		 Expert analysis shows precise height match23 Challenges methodology & potential bias23
Day 24-25
May 29-30, 2025		 Witnesses: Defense experts in accident reconstruction
Key Points: Defense begins presenting case; challenges prosecution's timeline and evidence collection		 Cross-examination focuses on expert qualifications and methodologies Presents alternative theories about O'Keefe's injuries and death26
Days 26-27
June 3-4, 2025		 Witnesses: Additional defense experts and character witnesses
Key Points: Testimony on crime scene analysis and evidence handling		 Seeks to discredit defense theories through cross-examination Highlights inconsistencies in police investigation and evidence collection27
Day 28-29
June 10-11, 2025		 Witness: Andrew Rentschler, defense crash reconstruction expert
Key Points: Testified O'Keefe's injuries inconsistent with being struck by a vehicle26		 Challenged expert's conclusions and methodology Presented analysis showing no evidence taillight broke from striking O'Keefe27
Day 30
June 12, 2025		 Proceedings: Closing arguments begin
Key Points: Defense rests case; both sides present final arguments to jury28,29		 Argued Read was 'drunk, angry, and jealous' when she 'left O'Keefe to die' Called investigation 'flawed from start' and prosecution's case 'circumstantial'
Day 23
May 28, 2025		 Prosecution Rests
Final Evidence: Read's statements: "What if I clipped him in the knee?"		 38 witnesses presented comprehensive case over 23 days1 Commonwealth case lacks sufficient evidence for conviction2 All
Day 25
May 30, 2025		 Witness: Matthew DiSogra (Defense expert)
Key Points: No SUV techstream events triggered by collision; challenges vehicle data synchronization		 Cross-examination challenges expert methodology1 Technical evidence contradicts collision theory4 4, 14
Days 26-27
June 3-4, 2025		 Witnesses: Additional defense experts and character witnesses
Key Points: Testimony on crime scene analysis and evidence handling		 Seeks to discredit defense theories through cross-examination Highlights inconsistencies in police investigation and evidence collection27 -
Day 28-29
June 10-11, 2025		 Witness: Andrew Rentschler, defense crash reconstruction expert
Key Points: Testified O'Keefe's injuries inconsistent with being struck by a vehicle26		 Challenged expert's conclusions and methodology Presented analysis showing no evidence taillight broke from striking O'Keefe27 16, 17
Day 30
June 12, 2025		 Proceedings: Closing arguments begin
Key Points: Defense rests case; both sides present final arguments to jury28,29		 Argued Read was 'drunk, angry, and jealous' when she 'left O'Keefe to die' Called investigation 'flawed from start' and prosecution's case 'circumstantial' 18
Day 31
June 13, 2025		 Proceedings: Jury instructions and deliberations begin30
Key Points: Judge instructs jury on second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving scene charges		 Emphasized burden of proof is 'beyond reasonable doubt' not all doubt This site is intended to help us explore how reasonable people, starting from different assumptions or weighing evidence differently, can reach very different conclusions about the same case. By making our reasoning explicit, we can better understand how and why viewpoints diverge—even when everyone is acting in good faith. This is an educational exploration of Bayesian reasoning, not a verdict predictor. 19

References

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Additional resources and references:

Official & News Evidence Galleries

Key Retrial Developments (2025)