Judge Allows Expert Testimony in Karen Read Case

Judge Beverly Cannone has ruled that Dr. Marie Russell, a defense expert specializing in dog bite wounds, can testify in Karen Read's retrial, scheduled for April 2025. Dr. Russell, who testified in Read's first trial, concluded that the injuries on John O'Keefe's arm were consistent with a dog attack rather than being hit by a car, supporting the defense's claim of a possible framing and attack by a German Shepherd. Despite objections from Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan, who questioned Dr. Russell's qualifications and presented new evidence, including mold impressions of the dog's teeth, the judge upheld her eligibility as an expert witness. The prosecution had sought to exclude her testimony, arguing it lacked a factual basis, but the judge ruled it a 'close question' and allowed the defense to present their case. The retrial follows a hung jury verdict in the first trial, where Read is accused of second-degree murder and other charges related to O'Keefe's death. The case continues to draw significant attention due to its implications and the allegations of a police conspiracy involved in framing Read.