Expert Witness Shocks Karen Read Trial: O’Keefe’s Death Not from Hypothermia, Says Doctor

The Karen Read trial took another unexpected turn with the testimony of Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, a Brown University professor and former chief medical examiner for Rhode Island. Dr. Laposata, a key witness for the defense, challenged the prosecution's central claim that Officer John O’Keefe died from hypothermia. "He did not die of hypothermia," Dr. Laposata stated definitively during her direct examination. This assertion directly contradicts the prosecution’s narrative, adding a significant twist to the case. Furthermore, Dr. Laposata testified that injuries on O’Keefe’s arm were consistent with an animal attack. This new evidence could significantly impact the jury's deliberations and the ultimate outcome of the trial. Karen Read, accused of striking O’Keefe with her vehicle and leaving him in the snow outside a Canton home, continues to maintain her innocence, alleging a frame-up. The trial continues, and the introduction of this new evidence promises to keep the public closely watching.