Judge allows dog bite expert to testify in Karen Read retrial

DEDHAM, Mass. — A dog bite expert for Karen Read’s defense team can testify in her retrial.

Judge Beverly Cannone ruled on Monday that Dr. Marie Russell will be allowed to testify at Karen Read’s re-trial in April 2025 after the new prosecutor in Read’s second trial case attempted to block her testimony at the retrial.

Russell previously testified that the holes found in O’Keefe’s hoodie and the wounds to his arm were from a dog. Russell believes that O’Keefe’s injuries do not appear to have been caused by a vehicle.

“Here, the recognition of dog bite wounds is not within the common knowledge of a layperson and requires expert testimony, and Dr. Russell is a qualified expert as to these topics,” Judge Beverly Cannone said in her ruling Monday.

Russell said the wounds on John O’Keefe’s arm were from a large dog. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan called her analysis “speculation.”

“Because there is no methodology or standard to look at, it involves a great deal of your subjective opinion,” Brennan remarked during a pre-trial hearing earlier this month.

“With all due respect, Mr. Brennan, I’m not somebody that just came in off the street,” Dr Russell retorted.

Brennan argued the injuries were received from Karen Read’s Lexus SUV backing into O’Keefe outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton.

Read is accused of hitting her Boston police officer boyfriend John O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV on Jan. 29, 2022, and leaving him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of fellow Boston officer Brian Albert after a night of drinking.

The defense has sought to portray Read as the victim, saying O’Keefe was actually killed inside the Albert family home and then dragged outside and left for dead.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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