In a high-profile murder retrial, Karen Read's case is up for review as testimony continues in Norfolk Superior Court. Prosecutors accuse Read of intentionally killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, by running him over while intoxicated. In contrast, her defense claims a conspiracy to frame her, suggesting O'Keefe was assaulted at a different location. Medical examiner Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello's testimony, identifying O'Keefe's cause of death as blunt impact injuries and hypothermia, adds complexity. Cross-examination by Read's attorney raises doubts about alternative explanations for the injuries, particularly focusing on alcohol's role in O'Keefe's condition.
Scordi-Bello told jurors O'Keefe's cause of death was blunt impact injuries to the head and hypothermia, though she was unable to determine the manner - that is, circumstances - of his death.
Throughout his cross-examination, defense attorney Robert Alessi pressed Scordi-Bello on whether she'd considered alternative explanations for O'Keefe's injuries.
Alessi suggested the spots of hemorrhaging Scordi-Bello documented on O'Keefe's stomach lining could be stomach ulcers due to alcohol consumption.
Scordi-Bello said she believed the hemorrhaging was due to hypothermia, as O'Keefe had been found in the snow and his body temperature registered at 80.1 degrees.
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