Latest news with #Bo
USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
Karen Read claims police bungled the investigation. What did they supposedly do wrong?
Karen Read claims police bungled the investigation. What did they supposedly do wrong? Defense attorneys say the investigation was marred by incompetence. Experts say there are irregularities that could prove beneficial to the Massachusetts woman accused of killing cop boyfriend. Show Caption Hide Caption Karen Read's second murder trial begins with new jury Karen Read is starting her second trial after being prosecuted for the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, last year. Blood samples gathered in red Solo cups and kept in a brown paper grocery bag. Reports about the case that took over a year and a half to be written. Critical evidence that was logged a month after police collected it. Defense lawyers at the trial of Karen Read – a Massachusetts woman accused of hitting her cop boyfriend with her SUV and leaving him for dead – are aggressively going after evidence being used against the 45-year-old woman. The goal is to raise doubts in the case over the death of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, 46. The move to question evidence is the latest tactic defense attorneys are using to distance Read from O'Keefe's death outside a Canton, Massachusetts home in January 2022. Evidentiary attacks, such as those made famous during the O.J. Simpson trial, typically target police who defense attorneys argue did not follow best practices. 'You can't convict someone based on a sloppy investigation and this could be enough to create a reasonable doubt,' said Kate Mangels, a Southern California criminal defense attorney who is not involved in the case. 'These are more technical arguments but they really do matter when the prosecution is asking jurors to rely on these pieces of evidence.' Prosecutors say the former finance professor hit her boyfriend of about two years with her black Lexus in a drunken rage and left him in the snow. Read's lawyers say the police investigation was marred by bias and incompetence. Read's lawyers used the same tactic at trial in 2024, according to experts. She is back in court after the trial ended with a hung jury. Among evidence supporting prosecutors' theory against Read are shards of a taillight discovered where O'Keefe was found and the damaged state Read's vehicle was in after O'Keefe's death. Defense lawyers say police bungled the investigation. Issues, according to the defense, include everything from how long investigators took to write reports about the case – as many as 581 days – to the unorthodox ways police went about collecting evidence. 'It's hard to say these anomalies are instances of a police cover-up but I do think it's enough to say there's concerns here with the integrity of the evidence,' Mangels said. 'It definitely isn't best practices. That said, in the reality of a crime scene, it happens sometimes that things are collected in a way that seems odd.' How was evidence collected? In the fraught hours after O'Keefe's body was discovered outside the suburban house of a fellow Boston cop, Lieutenant Paul Gallagher of the Canton Police Department was among the first responders on the scene collecting evidence. Gallagher – now retired – drove to the scene in his own four-wheel drive vehicle, testifying that his police cruiser would not have been able to make it through the snow that left O'Keefe buried. Among the officer's first moves to collect evidence was to use a leaf blower to clear away the four inches of snow covering the blood-stained spot where O'Keefe was found and then collect samples of 'coagulated blood' in red Solo cups. 'I wasn't going to get a second chance at it,' Gallagher explained on the stand. 'It was either collect it or never have it.' Gallagher never wrote a report about his evidence collection and did not create a diagram of where evidence was found, he testified in court. How Read's lawyers used the tactic before David Ring, a California-based defense attorney following Read's trial, said he expected defense attorneys to attack evidence again because it's a common tactic and because it's exactly what they did at Read's first trial in 2024. 'It's a common tactic because it's the easy tactic,' Ring told USA TODAY. 'In the first trial this tactic was definitely successful for the defense. The lengthy delays, failure to interview witnesses, the red Solo cups— all that clearly added up to a hung jury.' The question jurors should pay attention to, according to Ring, is whether the issues raised even matter. He called issues like collecting of blood samples in improvised containers a 'shoulder shrug' because they likely belonged to the victim. 'The defense wants them to focus on red Solo cups because that's inflammatory," Ring said. "But the jury hopefully is looking at the totality of the evidence." Ex-NYPD cop on how evidence should be collected Patrick McLaughlin, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said police need to improve how they approach crime scenes to leave defense attorneys fewer issues to raise. 'It's a game to try to catch the person napping or not having done the report the right way,' said the retired New York City Police Department crime scene technician. The 20-year NYPD veteran who faced tough cross-examinations over his investigations said investigators should aim to arrive at the scene as soon as possible, take their time collecting evidence and write reports without delay. 'The best thing in the world,' McLaughlin said, 'is to hand the defense attorney 2,000 pages of documents and say, 'Here you find the flaw.'' What to know about the state police investigation Massachusetts state police eventually took over the case from Canton police and Read's lawyers also grilled them over their handling of the investigation. Read's lawyers also questioned them about steps, including taking over a month to book evidence from the crime scene and waiting over a year to interview key witnesses. Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Yuri Bukhenik vigorously defended his agency's handling of the investigation. 'You claiming that it wasn't booked into something doesn't mean it wasn't properly handled in custody and under our control,' Bukhenik said in response to sharp questions from Read's lawyers about why it took so long for police to book pieces of tail light found at the scene. Among witnesses police waited over a year to interview was Heather Maxon— a significant witness for prosecutors who testified that on the night before O'Keefe died she saw what appeared to be Read and O'Keefe in a black SUV outside the house where the officer was ultimately found. Read's lawyers questioning of evidence against the former finance professor comes amid strong arguments from the prosecution— including a bombshell admission she allegedly made to first responders and her own admission of her heavy drinking. But experts say missteps from police investigating the case could work in Read's favor. 'This is why people don't trust the cops sometimes,' said Sydney Rushing, a criminal defense attorney out of Michigan who has been providing analysis of Read's case on Tik Tok. 'How is the jury supposed to look at this report and think they're accurate when they take 581 days to write.' Contributing: Karissa Waddick
Pink Villa
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Will John Black's Sacrifice Save Bo Brady's Life?
Days of Our Lives spoilers for Friday, May 23, promise a powerful, emotional episode as Salem braces for loss, hope, and a legacy-defining act of heroism. Bo Brady remains in a coma, his loved ones devastated by the possibility of losing him, while John Black embarks on a dangerous mission to save his old friend — a mission that will change everything. Fans can expect to see Bo Brady (Peter Reckell), Hope Williams Brady (Kristian Alfonso), and Ciara Brady Weston (Victoria Konefal) in deeply emotional scenes. At Bo's bedside in a medical facility, Hope and Ciara grapple with the heartbreak of his worsening condition. As they believe they're living through Bo's final days, the episode will mark the 40th anniversary of Bo and Hope's iconic wedding, likely featuring touching flashbacks of their early love story. Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) is also holding onto hope, offering prayers that might just influence Bo's fate. Yet, the real shot at saving Bo comes from a more hands-on effort — and an ultimate sacrifice. John Black (Drake Hogestyn), having returned to town without even stopping to see his family, launches into action alongside Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) and Shawn-Douglas Brady (Brandon Beemer) to retrieve the life-saving sepsis medication Bo needs. But something goes horribly wrong. In a twist that will leave fans reeling, Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans) delivers devastating news to Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall): John has paid the ultimate price. John's heroic act may help save Bo, but it comes at the cost of his own life. Spoilers suggest that Salem will soon come together for a heartfelt farewell as John Black's funeral draws near. Familiar faces will return to honor the man who defined heroism and loyalty for decades — and to say goodbye to actor Drake Hogestyn. As one chapter potentially ends for John and a new one begins for Bo, Days of Our Lives reminds fans why it's more than just a soap — it's a saga of love, sacrifice, and legacy. Friday's episode is set to be one of the most emotional yet, proving that even in goodbye, a hero's final act can light the way forward.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Last Rites for Bo on 'Days of Our Lives'
Bo receives last rites and so much more on Days of our Lives. Here are the Days of our Lives episode breakdowns for the week of May 19, 2025, which may contain some spoilers! MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025 – Episode #15120 Stephanie asks Alex to stand down. Shawn and Steve search for the cure to save Bo. Will they find it in time? Maggie questions Xander. Kate finds Philip. TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025 – Episode #15121 Ari Horton arrives in Salem. Gabi and JJ renew an argument. Javi vents to Leo. EJ asks Paulina for help. Shawn opens up to Belle. Will he find comfort opening up to his ex-wife? WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025 – Episode #15122 Sarah confronts Xander. Alex and Brady fear the worst. Stephanie gently warns Cat. Paulina surprises Chanel and Johnny. Will it be a pleasant one? THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 – Episode #15123 Holly helps Doug III. Gabi and Marlena celebrate Ari's birthday. Steve and Shawn call for backup. Who will answer the call? FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025 – Episode #15124 Ciara comforts Hope as they prepare to say goodbye to Bo. Kayla fills Marlena in on the mission. Julie prays for a miracle. Will her prayers be answered, and if they are, at what cost? "An explosion 💥 A heartbreak 💔 A last rite. Is this the end... or the beginning?"Enjoy the Days of our Lives promo for the week of May 19, 2025. Days of our Lives airs weekdays on Peacock.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Trained to Lead: How One Nurse is Changing Healthcare in Sierra Leone
Driven by compassion and determination, nurse Betty Koker is transforming patient care in Sierra Leone — showing how mentorship and local leadership are building a stronger healthcare system. Betty Koker's nursing journey began with a childhood tragedy. "I lost my mom... she died after giving birth," she recalled, her voice calm but firm. "According to my dad, it was due to the negligence of the nurses. And from there, I decided to become a nurse so that I can help people, especially children, not to become orphans." Fueled by that vow, Betty left her hometown of Bo for Freetown, determined to turn grief into purpose. She enrolled in the Faculty of Nursing at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) at the University of Sierra Leone. She graduated as a nurse in 2016. After graduation, Betty didn't take a break — she put her education into action. "I went to the nurse in charge, pleaded with her, and said, 'I will volunteer. I'll work for free.'' A full-time nurse at Connaught Hospital, Freetown's largest public hospital, Betty continues to pour her heart into her work. She's also a dedicated participant in a mentoring program run by the international charity Mercy Ships' Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) Department, where she's expanding both her skills and her impact. Learning with Mercy Ships The ETA program pairs local healthcare workers with seasoned mentors. At Connaught Hospital, Betty began working alongside Katie Henderson, a nurse mentor from the UK, who quickly saw something special in Betty. The program introduced Betty and her peers to structured nursing protocols, such as A-to-E and neurovascular assessments, which are tools designed to identify deteriorating patients so that their level of care can be elevated. But beyond clinical technique, the human touch set Betty apart. "I witnessed Betty educating a patient who was preparing for surgery," said Katie. "This patient was quite nervous about going down to surgery; he was worried that he was not going to be safe, and he was just worried about the outcomes of his surgery. I watched Betty use her training to educate him and ease his worries. She was so confident in her ability, and that made me proud.' Many of the assessment tools were new to Betty, but hands-on mentorship helped turn theory into practice.. "There are things we learned which we have not been doing here. So, being mentored really helped us put them into practice. And there have been moments we have put many of these things into practice," Betty said. Her learning journey didn't stop there. Betty boarded the Global Mercy™, the world's largest civilian hospital ship, for an immersive training experience. There, she stepped into a fast-paced clinical environment where theory met practice. "I worked in the orthopedic department, where children learn five key exercises with us," she explained. "From here, we'll put them into practice [at Connaught], and I know it will be very helpful for us.' Beyond orthopedic care, Betty participated in emergency simulations in the Global Mercy Simulation Center — managing post-operative complications, performing rapid A-to-E assessments, and making split-second decisions. It was an opportunity to practice these skills in a safe environment, preparing her for real-work practice. The Impact of Mercy Ships Through Mentorship For Betty, the most powerful lessons didn't just come from textbooks or simulations but from watching someone lead with consistency, heart, and excellence. "What I have learned from Katie is dedication. She's very dedicated to her job," Betty said, elated. "When Katie says she's coming at 8 a.m., she shows up at 8am. She is very time conscious, dedicated, and compassionate." That consistency created a ripple effect. Under Katie's mentorship, Betty and her peers began to sharpen their focus and raise their standards. "Whenever she's around for a sort of monitoring, we all come around the patient... she can do the correction whenever necessary. If there is no correction needed, Katie applauds you and gives you a reason to do more." Bringing Knowledge and Change Back Home Back at Connaught, Betty returned with new knowledge and a renewed sense of purpose. She is determined to implement what she's learned despite limited resources. "It exposes you to see reality. In Connaught, there are things that we just don't have. On Mercy Ships, they have everything... but it teaches us to improvise," she said. Her transformation wasn't just professional; it was deeply personal. "Sometimes love... you can show love without being paid for it... you can show compassion without being paid for it," she said. "A smile can lift pain from so many people.' She hopes Mercy Ships' role will have a lasting impact. "They are not helping us so we should depend on them. They are helping us to depend on whatsoever we must build up our healthcare facilities," Betty explained. Looking Ahead With Hope For Betty, the future isn't just about what she can do — it's about who she's becoming. She believes the nurse mentorship program at Mercy Ships isn't just shaping skills; it's shaping systems and outcomes. "It will influence my work positively in Connaught because here, I have learned to be more precise and I know it will help my patients," Betty said. When asked what people in Freetown say about Mercy Ships, she smiled: "Back at Connaught, people say Mercy Ships is a godsend… that they are sent here to help people. They are everywhere." And when she reflects on what makes a great nurse, Betty doesn't point to high-tech tools or perfect conditions. Instead, she looks inward. "The main thing I've learned here is whatever you are doing, you should be compassionate about it. You should do it with love, confidence, and teamwork." Through her journey, Betty Koker hasn't just grown as a nurse; she's stepped into her future as a leader. Learn how you can support Mercy Ships' healthcare training and mentorship in Sierra Leone today ( Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships. For more information about Mercy Ships, contact: Sophie Barnett Mercy Ships International PR Manager About Mercy Ships: Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world's two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy ® and the Global Mercy ™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit and follow @ MercyShips on social media.
Scroll.in
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
May global fiction: Six new novels about the strange times we live in
All information sourced from publishers. The Cursed Friend, Beatrice Salvioni, translated from the Italian by Elena Pala It is 1936 in the small Italian city of Monza. On the pebbled bank of the Lambro, two frantic girls scramble to hide a body. A year earlier, Maddalena attracts stares everywhere she goes. 'The Cursed One', they whisper, as tales of the harm she's inflicted upon those who have crossed her ignite fear and scorn amongst the townspeople. Francesca is not scared like the others. Respectable, well-behaved and yearning for a life beyond provincial conformity, she is drawn to Maddalena's rebellious spirit. When, one day, she finds herself telling a lie to save her, this split-second decision irrevocably binds the girls together. From this moment on, they will go to any length to protect one another, even if that leads to terrible violence… When the Crane Fly South, Lisa Rizdén, translated from the Swedish by Alice Menzies Bo lives a quiet existence in his small rural village in the north of Sweden. He is elderly and his days are punctuated by visits from his care team and his son. Fortunately, he still has his rich memories, phone calls with his best friend Ture, and his beloved dog Sixten for company. Only now his son is insisting that the dog must be taken away. The very same son that Bo wants to mend his relationship with before his time is up. The threat of losing Sixten stirs up a whirlwind of emotions and makes Bo determined to resist and find his voice. Muckle Flugga, Michael Pedersen It's no ordinary existence on the rugged isle of Muckle Flugga. The elements run riot and the very rocks that shape the place begin to shift under their influence. The only human inhabitants are the lighthouse keeper, known as The Father, and his otherworldly son, Ouse. Them, and the occasional lodger to keep the wolf from the door. When one of those lodgers – Firth, a chaotic writer – arrives from Edinburgh, the limits of the world the keeper and his son cling to begin to crumble. A tug of war ensues between Firth and the lighthouse keeper for Ouse's affections – and his future. As old and new ways collide, and life-changing decisions loom, what will the tides leave standing in their wake? Cat Fight, Kit Conway Coralie King, Emma Brooks and Twig Dorsett are friends. Sort of. They're neighbours on an exclusive Sevenoaks estate who get along. It's convenient. But one May bank holiday, Coralie's husband insists he saw a panther on the bonnet of his car. And cracks between the elite of the Briar Heart Estate begin to emerge. As the summer wears on and there are more sightings, the big cat frenzy reaches a fever pitch. Tensions between neighbours threaten to boil over. Everyone is watching their back. But is the real predator a seventy-kilo cat with razor-sharp claws? Or is the actual danger of a much more domestic variety? The Winner, Teddy Wayne Conor is a recent graduate from a law school no one has heard of. Without any job prospects and needing to support his chronically ill mother, he takes a summer job teaching tennis at the affluent gated community of Cutters Neck, Massachusetts. One of his first students is Catherine, a magnetic divorcée keen to hire him for more than advice on her serve. What begins as a transactional arrangement soon develops into an intoxicating sexual relationship. Things become even more complicated when Conor encounters Emily, with whom he has his first taste of real intimacy. Against his better judgment, he soon finds himself living a double life that inevitably leads to disaster. Conor knows how hard it is to win against those with money and power. In his fight for survival, he has to put emotion aside and play with only his wits – after all, in tennis, love means nothing. The Deserters, Mathias Enard, translated from the French by Charlotte Mandell Fleeing a nameless war, a soldier emerges from the Mediterranean scrubland, filthy, exhausted and seeking refuge. A chance meeting forces him to rethink his journey, and the price he puts on a life. On 11 September 2001, aboard a small cruise ship near Berlin, a scientific conference pays tribute to the late Paul Heudeber, an East German mathematician, Buchenwald survivor, communist and anti-fascist whose commitment to his side of the Wall was unshaken by its collapse. The oblique pull between these two narratives – a cypher in itself – brings to light everything that is at stake in times of conflict: truth and deception, loyalty and betrayal, hope and despair.
