James Seidel 
Medical Examiner Says John O’Keefe Showed No Evidence of Being Struck by a Vehicle:
Broken Badges: Medical Examiner Says No Evidence of Being Struck by a Vehicle
By James Seidel | CC News Network
DEDHAM, Mass. — Medical Examiner Says No Evidence of Being Struck by a Vehicle: A key moment unfolded in the high-profile murder retrial of Karen Read on Wednesday and Thursday, as Massachusetts medical examiner Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello took the stand and told jurors she could not determine how Boston police officer John O’Keefe died — and, notably, that she found no forensic evidence to support the prosecution’s central claim: that he was struck by Read’s SUV.
Medical Examiner Says No Evidence of Being Struck by a Vehicle:
Despite knowing about Read’s cracked taillight and hearing reported statements that she had said “I hit him,” Scordi-Bello testified under oath that there was no evidence on O’Keefe’s body that confirmed he had been hit by a vehicle. She left the manner of death “undetermined” on O’Keefe’s death certificate and acknowledged she had “no sufficient information” to support a definitive conclusion.
Medical Examiner Says No Evidence of Being Struck by a Vehicle:
Scordi-Bello’s testimony casts serious doubt on the prosecution’s case. While prosecutors allege Read hit O’Keefe outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton, the medical examiner stated that she found no impact injuries consistent with being struck by a car, and that injuries on O’Keefe’s lower extremities revealed no “impact site” typical of such collisions. Asked directly about the wound on the back of O’Keefe’s head, she said it was not inconsistent with a fall to the ground and could not definitively be tied to vehicular trauma.
Dr. Scordi-Bello also testified that:
- There were no signs of frostbite on O’Keefe’s body despite blizzard conditions.
- His body temperature had dropped 18 degrees, suggesting hypothermia, but this was difficult to diagnose and not conclusive.
- Despite the statements reportedly made by Read and damage to her SUV’s taillight, the injuries did not present as vehicular impact trauma.
Defense attorney Robert Alessi repeatedly questioned Scordi-Bello’s reliance on information provided by then-State Trooper Michael Proctor, who was under internal investigation for misconduct related to the case. She admitted her understanding of the death scene was based largely on Proctor’s version of events and that no alternative scenarios were ever presented to her.
Medical Examiner Says No Evidence of Being Struck by a Vehicle:
The defense maintains that O’Keefe was assaulted inside the home of a fellow Boston officer and left outside after suffering blunt trauma unrelated to a vehicle. They are expected to call their own expert witnesses to testify that O’Keefe’s injuries were inconsistent with being hit by a car.
Adding to the controversy, a late change in expert testimony further complicated the state’s narrative. Prosecution expert Shannon Burgess revised his timeline, adjusting the alleged “triggering event” on Read’s SUV by 40 seconds. Alessi accused the prosecution of violating Rule 14 by issuing a new report mid-trial to align better with cell phone data and bolster their timeline.
“We have to be able to evaluate that information in terms of our entire defense,” Alessi argued. Judge Beverly Cannone has yet to rule on whether the amended report will be admitted.
Medical Examiner Says No Evidence of Being Struck by a Vehicle:
The trial also saw testimony from state forensic analyst Maureen Hartnett, who admitted she had no knowledge of where O’Keefe’s clothing and other evidence were stored before they reached her lab. She also confirmed that no biological material such as blood or skin was found inside Read’s taillight.
Photographs of O’Keefe’s injuries were shown to the jury. These included:
- A one-inch laceration to the back of the head
- Bruising and swelling around the eyes
- Abrasions to the nose and knee
- Superficial injuries on the arms and torso
Medical Examiner Says No Evidence of Being Struck by a Vehicle: The medical examiner confirmed that none of the above injuries, even collectively, proved vehicular impact. She also said she was never asked to amend the death certificate, even after receiving new information.
Bottom Line: The Medical Examiner Does Not Believe O’Keefe Was Hit by a Car
In a case hinging on the claim that Karen Read struck her boyfriend with an SUV, Dr. Scordi-Bello’s testimony may be pivotal. Her expert opinion: the forensic evidence simply does not support that theory.
The trial continues next week in Norfolk Superior Court.
Karen Read has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. If convicted, she faces life in prison.
Stay with CC News Network for continuing coverage of Massachusetts’ most closely watched criminal trial.
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