A Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab forensic scientist disclosed during Karen Read’s murder trial that evidence gathered in red Solo cups was not analyzed regarding the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe.
On Wednesday, testimony was given by O’Keefe’s niece, who he was looking after due to the loss of her parents mere months apart, in addition to forensic experts who were part of the investigation into Read’s Lexus SUV and subsequent lab testing.
Maureen Hartnett, representing the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab, recounted discovering broken glass, visible scratches, and at least one dent on the rear of Read’s SUV, alongside blood and debris collected from O’Keefe’s clothing.
She also swabbed the evidence that Canton Police collected in red Solo cups, although she testified that it had never been tested. As a result, she couldn’t even identify it as blood.
While prosecutors have shown photos of her broken taillight, and investigators have testified that it played a role in their allegations against Read, her lawyers played a close-up video of her appearing to back into O’Keefe’s parked car before she and two other women found O’Keefe on the ground outside the Fairview Road house.
A group of people had been there the night before for an after-party following a night out drinking.
Read, speaking with reporters outside the courthouse, claimed she saw O’Keefe leave the party before she left.
Other witnesses, testifying under oath, told jurors that he did not go inside.
