The Coroner Testifies. Who was at the autopsy? Prosecution timeline shift | Case Brief

Watch the full coverage of the live stream on The Emily D Baker YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/live/hC-r7dHxioA

Day 16 of the Karen Read Retrial happened on May 15, 2025.

At the end of Re-Cross Examination, Maureen Harnett, the forensic analyst, wanted to "correct something for the record" from their previous testimony. This implies there might have been an error or omission in their earlier statements that they feel needs to be addressed. However, the court and Special Prosecutor, Hank Brennan, did not seem inclined to allow the correction at that moment. Judge Cannone let them know all of the questions that needed to be asked of them was complete and they were free to go.

Next, Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello, Coroner & Medical Examiner, took the stand! A significant portion of the testimony revolves around the coroner's finding that the manner of John O'Keefe's death was "undetermined." This term is defined as when the information pointing to one manner of death is not more compelling than other reasonable possibilities, or when the death investigation lacks sufficient information to opine on a manner of death at the time the death certificate is signed.

The coroner stated she examined John O'Keefe's lower extremities as part of the protocol in cases of suspected impact with a motor vehicle. She did not find any evidence of an impact site. The Prosecution asked the coroner repeatedly if she was aware of various pieces of information, including statements that Karen Read allegedly made, such as "I hit him," that she didn't know how she cracked her tail light, and that people had been drinking. The coroner confirms that she was aware of most of this information before making her determination. Despite knowing all this information, Dr. Scordi-Bello still concluded that the manner of death was undetermined.

The coroner recalls two individuals being present at the autopsy. Initially, she doesn't remember their names, but after looking at a log, she identifies them as Mr. Keefe and Mr. Connor. There's confusion, because Trooper Connor Keefe's testimony is that he attended the autopsy alone but the person next to him looks a lot like Former Trooper Michael Proctor.

After the Jury was dismissed, disputes over expert witnesses involve issues of late discovery, changing reports, timing discrepancies, and procedural fairness. Defense attorney, Robert Alessi, is concerned that the Commonwealth is trying to adjust Aperture, their expert's testimony, to align with other witness, Ian Whiffin. This new report shifts the estimated time of impact from between 12:31:38am-12:31:43am to 12:32:16am. The Commonwealth, in turn, argues that they need more time to review the defense's voluminous reports from ARCCA and to ensure their expert can provide a complete and accurate analysis. These conflicts are creating significant tension and procedural challenges in the trial. Judge Cannone has taken under advisement and will make a determination soon.

RESOURCES

Former Trooper Proctor Did Not Attend The Autopsy - https://youtu.be/etzXdZ2T3D4&t=128s

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 -