Topline: Retired emergency room doctor testifies officer John O’Keefe’s wounds match patterns seen in animal attacks, not car crashes.
Published: June 3, 2025 6:00 am ET
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DEDHAM, MA — The retrial of Karen Read took a dramatic turn Monday as the defense spotlighted an expert witness who claimed the wounds found on Boston police officer John O’Keefe’s arms were caused not by a vehicle, but by a dog.
Read, 45, of Mansfield, is facing charges including second-degree murder in connection with O’Keefe’s death during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022.
Prosecutors allege that Read, after a night of drinking, struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him to die outside a home in Canton. Her first trial ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
This week, the defense began presenting its case and focused heavily on alternate theories of how O’Keefe died. Among their key witnesses was Dr. Marie Russell, a retired emergency physician and forensic pathologist whose testimony was initially challenged by the prosecution but ultimately permitted by the judge, WCVB reported.
Russell, who also testified in the first trial, reiterated her belief that O’Keefe’s arm wounds were consistent with an animal attack, possibly from a large dog, according to WCVB’s reporting.
On the stand, she shared her credentials, which include degrees from MIT, Northeastern, and UMass Medical School, along with extensive residency experience in Los Angeles.
Drawing from her background in both emergency medicine and forensic pathology, Russell told jurors she has treated approximately 500 dog bite wounds and authored academic work on K-9 injuries. She explained that law enforcement dogs are often trained with a “bite and hold” method, which can result in deep, sustained wounds.
Russell contrasted the injury patterns seen in car crashes with those caused by animal attacks. Noting she has treated over 1,000 crash victims and seen 20 to 30 fatalities from car accidents, she said that crash victims typically suffer more lower-body trauma, unlike the arm wounds found on O’Keefe. She also emphasized that posterior injuries — like those on O’Keefe’s arms — can be indicative of a defensive posture, which she argued fits with someone being attacked, not hit by a car.
The defense theory posits that O’Keefe was assaulted inside the Canton home of fellow Boston police officer Brian Albert, where he was then allegedly dragged outside and bitten by a dog. Russell’s testimony is central to this claim.
The defense’s first witness, Matt DiSogra of DeltaV — a motor vehicle accident reconstruction firm — also took aim at the prosecution’s case. DiSogra testified that the timeline laid out by prosecutors regarding the events before O’Keefe’s death was inaccurate, though specifics were not elaborated on in Monday’s session.
The day’s proceedings also included the introduction of text messages from Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor and contentious testimony from a police officer, though the primary focus remained on Russell’s expert opinion and its potential to reshape how jurors interpret the physical evidence.
Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley University, maintains her innocence, and her defense team continues to assert that key details surrounding O’Keefe’s death have been overlooked or misrepresented.
According to WXFT, the defense’s case expected to take up to two weeks.
As the defense lays out its case over the coming days, Russell’s testimony is expected to remain a cornerstone of their effort to convince jurors that Read was not behind the tragic events of that snowy January night.
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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Karen Read’s Defense Begins With Expert Claiming Dog Caused Injuries
Retired emergency room doctor testifies officer John O’Keefe’s wounds match patterns seen in animal attacks, not car crashes.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 3, 2025 6:00 am ET
DEDHAM, MA — The retrial of Karen Read took a dramatic turn Monday as the defense spotlighted an expert witness who claimed the wounds found on Boston police officer John O’Keefe’s arms were caused not by a vehicle, but by a dog.
Read, 45, of Mansfield, is facing charges including second-degree murder in connection with O’Keefe’s death during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022.
Prosecutors allege that Read, after a night of drinking, struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him to die outside a home in Canton. Her first trial ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
This week, the defense began presenting its case and focused heavily on alternate theories of how O’Keefe died. Among their key witnesses was Dr. Marie Russell, a retired emergency physician and forensic pathologist whose testimony was initially challenged by the prosecution but ultimately permitted by the judge, WCVB reported.
Russell, who also testified in the first trial, reiterated her belief that O’Keefe’s arm wounds were consistent with an animal attack, possibly from a large dog, according to WCVB’s reporting.
On the stand, she shared her credentials, which include degrees from MIT, Northeastern, and UMass Medical School, along with extensive residency experience in Los Angeles.
Drawing from her background in both emergency medicine and forensic pathology, Russell told jurors she has treated approximately 500 dog bite wounds and authored academic work on K-9 injuries. She explained that law enforcement dogs are often trained with a “bite and hold” method, which can result in deep, sustained wounds.
Russell contrasted the injury patterns seen in car crashes with those caused by animal attacks. Noting she has treated over 1,000 crash victims and seen 20 to 30 fatalities from car accidents, she said that crash victims typically suffer more lower-body trauma, unlike the arm wounds found on O’Keefe. She also emphasized that posterior injuries — like those on O’Keefe’s arms — can be indicative of a defensive posture, which she argued fits with someone being attacked, not hit by a car.
The defense theory posits that O’Keefe was assaulted inside the Canton home of fellow Boston police officer Brian Albert, where he was then allegedly dragged outside and bitten by a dog. Russell’s testimony is central to this claim.
The defense’s first witness, Matt DiSogra of DeltaV — a motor vehicle accident reconstruction firm — also took aim at the prosecution’s case. DiSogra testified that the timeline laid out by prosecutors regarding the events before O’Keefe’s death was inaccurate, though specifics were not elaborated on in Monday’s session.
The day’s proceedings also included the introduction of text messages from Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor and contentious testimony from a police officer, though the primary focus remained on Russell’s expert opinion and its potential to reshape how jurors interpret the physical evidence.
Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley University, maintains her innocence, and her defense team continues to assert that key details surrounding O’Keefe’s death have been overlooked or misrepresented.
According to WXFT, the defense’s case expected to take up to two weeks.
As the defense lays out its case over the coming days, Russell’s testimony is expected to remain a cornerstone of their effort to convince jurors that Read was not behind the tragic events of that snowy January night.
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.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Karen Read’s Defense Begins With Expert Claiming Dog Caused Injuries
Retired emergency room doctor testifies officer John O’Keefe’s wounds match patterns seen in animal attacks, not car crashes.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 3, 2025 6:00 am ET
DEDHAM, MA — The retrial of Karen Read took a dramatic turn Monday as the defense spotlighted an expert witness who claimed the wounds found on Boston police officer John O’Keefe’s arms were caused not by a vehicle, but by a dog.
Read, 45, of Mansfield, is facing charges including second-degree murder in connection with O’Keefe’s death during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022.
Prosecutors allege that Read, after a night of drinking, struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him to die outside a home in Canton. Her first trial ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
This week, the defense began presenting its case and focused heavily on alternate theories of how O’Keefe died. Among their key witnesses was Dr. Marie Russell, a retired emergency physician and forensic pathologist whose testimony was initially challenged by the prosecution but ultimately permitted by the judge, WCVB reported.
Russell, who also testified in the first trial, reiterated her belief that O’Keefe’s arm wounds were consistent with an animal attack, possibly from a large dog, according to WCVB’s reporting.
On the stand, she shared her credentials, which include degrees from MIT, Northeastern, and UMass Medical School, along with extensive residency experience in Los Angeles.
Drawing from her background in both emergency medicine and forensic pathology, Russell told jurors she has treated approximately 500 dog bite wounds and authored academic work on K-9 injuries. She explained that law enforcement dogs are often trained with a “bite and hold” method, which can result in deep, sustained wounds.
Russell contrasted the injury patterns seen in car crashes with those caused by animal attacks. Noting she has treated over 1,000 crash victims and seen 20 to 30 fatalities from car accidents, she said that crash victims typically suffer more lower-body trauma, unlike the arm wounds found on O’Keefe. She also emphasized that posterior injuries — like those on O’Keefe’s arms — can be indicative of a defensive posture, which she argued fits with someone being attacked, not hit by a car.
The defense theory posits that O’Keefe was assaulted inside the Canton home of fellow Boston police officer Brian Albert, where he was then allegedly dragged outside and bitten by a dog. Russell’s testimony is central to this claim.
The defense’s first witness, Matt DiSogra of DeltaV — a motor vehicle accident reconstruction firm — also took aim at the prosecution’s case. DiSogra testified that the timeline laid out by prosecutors regarding the events before O’Keefe’s death was inaccurate, though specifics were not elaborated on in Monday’s session.
The day’s proceedings also included the introduction of text messages from Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor and contentious testimony from a police officer, though the primary focus remained on Russell’s expert opinion and its potential to reshape how jurors interpret the physical evidence.
Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley University, maintains her innocence, and her defense team continues to assert that key details surrounding O’Keefe’s death have been overlooked or misrepresented.
According to WXFT, the defense’s case expected to take up to two weeks.
As the defense lays out its case over the coming days, Russell’s testimony is expected to remain a cornerstone of their effort to convince jurors that Read was not behind the tragic events of that snowy January night.
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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