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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Karen Read defense expert challenges hit-and-run theory with collision tests showing key inconsistencies
Karen Read's legal team is nearing the end of the case for her defense with crash reconstruction expert Dr. Daniel Wolfe called to the stand Friday. Dr. Wolfe played video for the jury that showed multiple recreations of an impact involving a 2021 Lexus LX 570 SUV and a crash dummy to simulate that alleged impact of Read's vehicle of the same make and model on her former boyfriend, John O'Keefe, whom she is accused of killing in a drunken hit-and-run. In each simulation, at speeds ranging from 10 to 29 mph, the damage to the vehicle's taillight was "inconsistent" with that damage police recorded on Read's actual taillight. Karen Read Denis Noticing Confrontation Between Deceased Boyfriend And Atf Agent WATCH: Crash expert plays video reconstruction of Lexus SUV on crash dummy While most of the impacts shattered the outer lens, internal components that were destroyed in Read's vehicle remained intact in multiple test taillights. Read On The Fox News App "Did you reach any opinions or conclusions as to whether the damage to the right rear tail light of the subject vehicle is consistent or inconsistent with an impact to a right arm during a high-speed reversing maneuver?" asked defense attorney Alan Jackson. "It was inconsistent," Wolfe replied. Wolfe also obtained sweatshirts that were the same brand and fabric blend of the one O'Keefe was wearing when he died. Notably, the impacts did not produce similar holes in the cloth. Karen Read Defense Floats Theory That 'Jealous' Brian Higgins Fought John O'keefe Before Death "Do you have an opinion or conclusion as to whether or not the damage that you saw to the hoodie related to John O'Keefe is consistent or inconsistent with an impact from a right rear taillight of the subject SUV?" Jackson asked. "It was inconsistent," Wolfe replied. "And what do you base that opinion on?" Jackson followed up. "Based upon all of the impact testing that we did with the closed ATD arm in the laboratory, as well as the field," Wolfe said, using an acronym that refers to the formal name for crash dummies – Anthropomorphic Test Device. Judge Beverly Cannone called a midday lunch break around 12:40 p.m. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan was expected to kick off cross-examination when court resumes. Friday marks the 28th day of her retrial on murder and other charges in the death of O'Keefe, a 46-year-old Boston police officer. Wolfe is the director of accident reconstruction at a firm called ARCCA. Earlier in his testimony, he said ARCCA designed a specialized "cannon" to simulate throwing a cocktail glass at Read's taillight and determined that similar damage could have been caused if someone threw the glass at around 31 mph and 37 mph. "From the 37 mile per hour test, we are getting damage that's generally consistent, and by that I mentioned we have portions of the outer lens missing, the underlying diffuser," he said. Karen Read Defense Gets Boost As Plow Driver Testifies He Saw No Body In Snow During Boston Cop Death Case "There was also some fracturing on the backside of the assembly. So again we observed damage that was generally consistent with that of the subject taillight." Wolfe said he gave an opinion that the damage Read's SUV was generally consistent with someone throwing that drinking glass at least 37 mph. Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X In another ARCCA test, the reconstructionists wanted to see if an impact between the taillight and the back of O'Keefe's head could've caused his skull fracture. Wolfe said he tested at 15 mph. Damage to the test taillight was significantly more than Read's taillight at that speed – but it didn't generate enough force to cause a skull fracture. ARCCA obtained sweatshirts from the same company and of the same fabric blend as the one O'Keefe was wearing when he died and also simulated strikes to see if the fabric would puncture in the same way. At 10 and 17 mph, the taillight sustained different levels of damage but the fabric remained undamaged. Sign Up To Get The True Crime Newsletter Prosecutors accused Read, 45, of hitting O'Keefe with her 2021 Lexus SUV and driving away as he died on the ground with a skull fracture during a blizzard. Investigators recovered a broken cocktail glass and a black straw from the scene and found additional glass on Read's bumper. However, experts testified earlier at trial that the bar glass was not a match for the fragments found on her car. The defense denies that she struck him and has called witnesses who have attributed his injuries to other causes, including a dog bite and a potential fistfight with a man Read was flirting with behind his back. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub Special prosecutor Hank Brennan unsuccessfully tried to have Wolfe and a colleague, Dr. Andrew Renstchler, blocked from testifying before the start of the trial. Wolfe testified during the first trial, which ended with a deadlocked jury, that damage to Read's SUV is inconsistent with a collision involving O'Keefe. Read told reporters outside court Wednesday that her defense could rest as soon as next Tuesday. There was no court on Thursday. She could face up to life in prison if convicted. Her first trial, in which the defense claimed she had been framed, ended with a deadlocked jury last article source: Karen Read defense expert challenges hit-and-run theory with collision tests showing key inconsistencies
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thomas Massie says he loves teenage Boy Scout's policy proposal: Zero tax for workers younger than 18
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., noted that a Boy Scout proposed a policy of not taxing workers younger than age 18. The congressman from the Bluegrass State listed several reasons why he loves the idea. "A 15 yr old Boy Scout working on his merit badge just sent me this idea: No taxes on workers under 18 yrs old. I love it because: 1. They need experience to pick a college major 2. They need to develop a work ethic 3. The economy needs more workers 4. They don't get to vote," Massie wrote in a post on X. Massie And Other Republicans Push 'National Constitutional Carry Act' To Protect Americans' Gun Rights Someone responded to the lawmaker, suggesting that youths "don't make enough money for the most part and get it back when they file taxes. It is a good lesson on how to file taxes and gives them a chance to get a return," the person opined. Massie replied, "Sounds like conditioning to be sheeple. Hard pass." Read On The Fox News App Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., indicated that high minimum wages box young people out of the job market. Republican Lawmakers Push To Abolish 'Unconstitutional' Atf "So many of our youth have lost the opportunity to enter the workforce due to high minimum wage requirements. High taxes, insurance, and paid leave requirements are a few of many issues as well. Small business owners are unable to invest in first-time workers or provide them with skills training for their future," she tweeted. "Great points!" Massie replied. He has previously suggested that the U.S. should nix the federal income tax entirely. Massie Drops Colorful Analogy Opposing Foreign Aid, Mocks Speaker Johnson With Ai-generated Image "The federal income tax was unconstitutional for most of our [country's] existence. The founders of this country would have never agreed to it. We should repeal it," he tweeted in February 2024. Massie has also spoken out against foreign aid. "My position of 'no foreign aid' might sound extreme to some, but it's far more extreme to force future generations of Americans into indentured servitude to our foreign creditors," he noted in a 2023 article source: Thomas Massie says he loves teenage Boy Scout's policy proposal: Zero tax for workers younger than 18
