Watch the full coverage of the live stream on The Emily D Baker YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/live/P_Lo2vXvHyM
Day 17 of the Karen Read Retrial happened on May 16, 2025. The court addressed juror conduct issues, with a jurors making facial expressions and muttering. A stipulation was read regarding State Police troopers present at the autopsy, specifically noting Troopers Keefe and Watson were present, not Former Trooper Michael Proctor.
Andre Porto, the Forensic Scientist, testimony revolved around DNA evidence found on a piece of glass and the tail light, with John O'Keefe's DNA and DNA from two unknown individuals being present. The defense strategy focused on questioning the thoroughness of the investigation and emphasizing that unknown DNA samples were not tested against other individuals of interest like Brian Higgins.
Legal arguments arose regarding the chain of custody of evidence and delays in its submission. The judge ruled on objections and addressed issues related to rebuttal witnesses and ARCA expert testimony. There were discussions about new information and reports from experts causing potential time shifts and debates over whether this information was truly new or if it was previously disclosed.
The day ended with testimony from Ash Vallier, a Forensic Scientist who pieced together the tail light, with discussions about which pieces fit and which did not. Some items from evidence bags were not fitting together mechanically and other items from different bags were fitting together. Defense Attorney, David Yannetti, crossed Vallier, highlighting potential issues with the chain of custody and who had access to evidence, particularly with Trooper Proctor. Trooper Michael Proctor was identified as submitting clothing evidence to the lab six weeks after the incident and the person who brought in the all of the pieces in the dash 7 series that fit together.
Judge Cannone addressed concerns about new expert reports from Aperture, ruling that they were not grounds for undue surprise or prejudice but were ample ground for cross-examination by the defense. The Judge also addressed the ARCCA expert issue, allowing limited rebuttal testimony of Aperture only as to the new opinions by ARCCA from their May 7th report. The Judge stated the defense could recall witnesses under certain circumstances and addressed the long weekend break, stating it would give the defense the time they had requested.
RESOURCES
Calling a Witness Back? https://youtu.be/Wzt0SgXLa7k&t=564s
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 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbUyvZas7gKUeCUzApgsEuQRXu5IXeTS