Medical expert says O’Keefe died quickly of blunt force trauma, injuries inconsistent with car impact

DEDHAM, Mass. (WLNE) — Karen read will not testify in her defense.

The Brown University professor who also previously served as Rhode Island’s medical examiner will continue her testimony today.

Dr. Elizabeth Laposata testified that she disagreed with the medical examiner’s report, saying she saw no signs John O’Keefe had hypothermia.

She also said the injuries on O’Keefe’s arms are consistent with an animal bite or scratch.

She surmised O’Keefe died from brain injuries from blunt force trauma and died quickly after the impact, but claims O’Keefe’s broken bones are not typical of a car crash.

After Laposata, the defense will call its last witness, biomechanical engineer, Andrew Rentschler with ARCCA.

The prosecution will then call a rebuttal witness.

Closing arguments could come by the end of the week with jury deliberations potentially by Friday.