Topline: Defense challenges expert’s conclusions and raises questions about potential bias, funding
Published: May 29, 2025 6:00 am ET
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Judson Welcher, right, testifies during Karen Read's, left, murder trial. (Photos courtesy NBC 10 Boston / Getty Images)
CANTON, MA — A crash reconstruction expert took the stand Wednesday in the high-profile murder trial of Karen Read, who is accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe.
Prosecutors allege Read murdered O’Keefe by striking him with her SUV and leaving him to die in the snow outside a house party in Canton, Massachusetts, in 2022.
Judson Welcher, of the Texas-based firm Aperture, testified for the prosecution, presenting findings from his extensive investigation, including a 141-slide PowerPoint and physical testing with a vehicle identical to Read’s Lexus SUV, NBC 10 Boston reported.
Welcher said he also wore similar clothing to O’Keefe’s to replicate conditions the night of his death.
Read is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene. She has pleaded not guilty. Her defense team argues she is the target of a police cover-up and that O’Keefe was actually beaten to death by another officer at the party.
During his testimony, Welcher stated the damage to Read’s vehicle and injuries to O’Keefe’s body were consistent with a vehicle impact. He disputed the defense’s suggestion that O’Keefe’s arm injuries could have come from other means, maintaining the wounds were horizontally aligned and matched the impact scenario he simulated, according to NBC 10 Boston’s coverage.
Tensions reportedly rose during cross-examination by defense attorney Robert Alessi, who challenged Welcher’s objectivity, questioning whether he suffered from confirmation bias. “I try to eliminate all confirmational bias,” Welcher responded.
Alessi scrutinized the sources behind Welcher’s presentation, including drone images and medical examiner reports. He also questioned the financial arrangement behind Aperture’s involvement, noting the firm received nearly $400,000 for its work — including purchasing a Lexus for testing, which the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office agreed to reimburse.
At one point, Welcher acknowledged he was not a medical expert when pressed on injury patterns. Judge Beverly Cannone frequently interrupted to maintain courtroom order, calling sidebars and urging attorneys not to talk over each other.
Wednesday’s proceedings continued a dramatic narrative in a trial that already saw a mistrial last year. With Welcher likely the prosecution’s final witness, the case is expected to move toward closing arguments soon.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Crash Expert Testifies in Karen Read Trial, Says Injuries Match SUV Impact
Defense challenges expert’s conclusions and raises questions about potential bias, funding
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 29, 2025 6:00 am ET
Judson Welcher, right, testifies during Karen Read's, left, murder trial. (Photos courtesy NBC 10 Boston / Getty Images)
CANTON, MA — A crash reconstruction expert took the stand Wednesday in the high-profile murder trial of Karen Read, who is accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe.
Prosecutors allege Read murdered O’Keefe by striking him with her SUV and leaving him to die in the snow outside a house party in Canton, Massachusetts, in 2022.
Judson Welcher, of the Texas-based firm Aperture, testified for the prosecution, presenting findings from his extensive investigation, including a 141-slide PowerPoint and physical testing with a vehicle identical to Read’s Lexus SUV, NBC 10 Boston reported.
Welcher said he also wore similar clothing to O’Keefe’s to replicate conditions the night of his death.
Read is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene. She has pleaded not guilty. Her defense team argues she is the target of a police cover-up and that O’Keefe was actually beaten to death by another officer at the party.
During his testimony, Welcher stated the damage to Read’s vehicle and injuries to O’Keefe’s body were consistent with a vehicle impact. He disputed the defense’s suggestion that O’Keefe’s arm injuries could have come from other means, maintaining the wounds were horizontally aligned and matched the impact scenario he simulated, according to NBC 10 Boston’s coverage.
Tensions reportedly rose during cross-examination by defense attorney Robert Alessi, who challenged Welcher’s objectivity, questioning whether he suffered from confirmation bias. “I try to eliminate all confirmational bias,” Welcher responded.
Alessi scrutinized the sources behind Welcher’s presentation, including drone images and medical examiner reports. He also questioned the financial arrangement behind Aperture’s involvement, noting the firm received nearly $400,000 for its work — including purchasing a Lexus for testing, which the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office agreed to reimburse.
At one point, Welcher acknowledged he was not a medical expert when pressed on injury patterns. Judge Beverly Cannone frequently interrupted to maintain courtroom order, calling sidebars and urging attorneys not to talk over each other.
Wednesday’s proceedings continued a dramatic narrative in a trial that already saw a mistrial last year. With Welcher likely the prosecution’s final witness, the case is expected to move toward closing arguments soon.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Crash Expert Testifies in Karen Read Trial, Says Injuries Match SUV Impact
Defense challenges expert’s conclusions and raises questions about potential bias, funding
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 29, 2025 6:00 am ET
Judson Welcher, right, testifies during Karen Read's, left, murder trial. (Photos courtesy NBC 10 Boston / Getty Images)
CANTON, MA — A crash reconstruction expert took the stand Wednesday in the high-profile murder trial of Karen Read, who is accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe.
Prosecutors allege Read murdered O’Keefe by striking him with her SUV and leaving him to die in the snow outside a house party in Canton, Massachusetts, in 2022.
Judson Welcher, of the Texas-based firm Aperture, testified for the prosecution, presenting findings from his extensive investigation, including a 141-slide PowerPoint and physical testing with a vehicle identical to Read’s Lexus SUV, NBC 10 Boston reported.
Welcher said he also wore similar clothing to O’Keefe’s to replicate conditions the night of his death.
Read is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene. She has pleaded not guilty. Her defense team argues she is the target of a police cover-up and that O’Keefe was actually beaten to death by another officer at the party.
During his testimony, Welcher stated the damage to Read’s vehicle and injuries to O’Keefe’s body were consistent with a vehicle impact. He disputed the defense’s suggestion that O’Keefe’s arm injuries could have come from other means, maintaining the wounds were horizontally aligned and matched the impact scenario he simulated, according to NBC 10 Boston’s coverage.
Tensions reportedly rose during cross-examination by defense attorney Robert Alessi, who challenged Welcher’s objectivity, questioning whether he suffered from confirmation bias. “I try to eliminate all confirmational bias,” Welcher responded.
Alessi scrutinized the sources behind Welcher’s presentation, including drone images and medical examiner reports. He also questioned the financial arrangement behind Aperture’s involvement, noting the firm received nearly $400,000 for its work — including purchasing a Lexus for testing, which the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office agreed to reimburse.
At one point, Welcher acknowledged he was not a medical expert when pressed on injury patterns. Judge Beverly Cannone frequently interrupted to maintain courtroom order, calling sidebars and urging attorneys not to talk over each other.
Wednesday’s proceedings continued a dramatic narrative in a trial that already saw a mistrial last year. With Welcher likely the prosecution’s final witness, the case is expected to move toward closing arguments soon.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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