Watch the full coverage of the live stream on The Emily D Baker YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/live/IduAs7XWVEU
Day 22 of the Karen Read Retrial happened on May 28, 2025. After a brief Direct Examination by Special Prosecutor, Hank Brennan, of their Accident Reconstructionist, Dr. Welcher, Cross Examination took up the whole day and will continue on Day 23.
Defense Attorney, Robert Alessi, ross-examination was rigorous and focused on challenging the credibility, methodology, and conclusions of the Commonwealth's expert witness. Dr. Welcher was repeatedly admonished by the court for looking at his computer and searching for information during the cross-examination, rather than answering directly from memory.
Alessi questioned Dr. Welchre about the significant amount his firm, Aperture, was being paid by the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office ($325,000), and the details surrounding the purchase and sale of a Lexus exemplar for testing. The defense sought to highlight potential bias due to financial incentives.
Alessi challenged inconsistencies in Dr. Welchre's testimony, such as the distance the Lexus traveled in reverse during a test (initially said to be 53 feet, then 87 feet), and the explanation of the 8 mph threshold for tail light breakage.
Alessi delved into Dr. Welcher's use of data and images from Trooper Paul's report, questioning the extent to which Dr. Welcher relied on that information in his analysis. There was a dispute about a drone image and other diagrams, leading to a "Voir dire" (examination outside the presence of the jury) to clarify the sources of these materials.
The voir dire aimed to clarify the sources of Dr. Welcher's materials and to determine the extent to which he relied on Trooper Paul's report or other evidence. It highlighted the defense's effort to question the independence of Dr. Welcher's analysis and the Commonwealth's attempt to defend it. The voir dire concluded with plans to continue the cross-examination the following day, with the understanding that time was limited due to a juror's scheduling issue.
RESOURCES
What You Need to Know About the Retrial - https://youtu.be/89Jpa8vz1RQ
Karen Read Retrial Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gKOJlfL__9F027hlETVU-vo
Karen Read Trial - 2024 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gKUeCUzApgsEuQRXu5IXeTS
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