Watch the full coverage of the live stream on The Emily D Baker YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/live/CQm0FID9AXY
Day 9 of the Karen Read Retrial happened on May 5, 2025. We continue with Cross Examination and finishing up the testimony of Hannah Knowles from the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory who explains the blood alcohol conversions and retrograde extrapolation, and how timing is critical in this case. Testimonies from Ryan Nagle, Heather Maxom, and Sarah Levinson provide insights into the events at 34 Fairview, including arrival times and observations of Karen Read's SUV. Sarah Levenson's surprisingly states never seeing the dog, Chloe, at the Albert's residence despite being friends with Brian Albert Jr. for many years.
Katie McLaughlin, the female EMT who Jen McCabe stated Karen read said, "I hit him" three time in front of took the said. She also said that she heard Karen read say, "I hit him," but it was four times. Cross-examination by Alan Jackson focused on the timing of these statements and used dashcam video to break down these interactions and how her testimony does match up with what is happening on the video. Unfortunately, Jackson spent a majority of the time trying to get a "gotcha" moment by trying to prove that Katie McLaughlin and Caitlin Albert are close friends but he was unable to recreate that moment from the first trial due Special Prosecutor allowing Katie to explain her acquaintance relationship with Caitlin ahead of the Cross Examination. Jackson did manage to impeach Katie based on her words of first trial where she said that she knew of a girl by the name of Caitlin Albert that went to her school but that victory was short lived because he tried to being in picture evidence that kept being objected and sustained by Judge Cannone.
Last witness of the day, Lt. Paul Gallagher, worked for the Canton Police Department at the time of the John O'Keefe's death and was the site supervisor. His testimony reveals issues with evidence handling and a lack of reports. It was his decision to use a leaf blower on the snow to uncover evidence, put blood found in the snow in Red Solo Cup and then transport them in Stop & Shop bags and found and handled the shattered drinking cocktail glass. Lt. Gallagher never wrote a report about his methods or even logged evidence with the blood he transferred. Questions about the chain of custody and why crucial information regarding Karen Read's statements was not relayed to the site supervisor. We also learn that Lieutenant Gallagher was not interviewed until just before the previous trial on April 3, 2024 by the Prosecution. We will resume with Cross Examination on Day 10. Stay tuned as we continue to follow the Karen Read Retrial and provide detailed breakdowns of each day's proceedings.
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