In the lead-up to the trial of Karen Read, charged with the murder of John O'Keefe, significant legal maneuvers are taking place. The defense, led by attorney Little, has requested the exclusion of evidence regarding a verbal altercation in Aruba in 2021 between Read and another woman, which witnesses discussed in front of a state grand jury, where Read told the woman to 'F-off'. Additionally, they are challenging the admissibility of a DNA test from a hair found on Read's Lexus, citing a lack of lab reports. The defense is also considering a third-party culprit defense, as indicated by David Yannetti's statement on potentially filing paperwork to admit third-party evidence. Prosecutor Lally, on the other hand, argues that the Aruba incident is crucial for establishing motive, noting that it led to O'Keefe attempting to break up with Read and was a point of contention up until O'Keefe's murder. Lally also mentioned that Read texted Higgins about the incident, further arguing to keep any direct reference of the federal investigation out of trial as it would be 'unfair', and to admit body cam footage of Read's arrest, which the defense opposes due to its potentially 'prejudicial' impact. Other legal debates include the exclusion of references to an internal affairs investigation of Trooper Proctor and a lawsuit against a Canton Police Sgt from the trial. At the final pretrial hearing, Read's defense team claimed that 3 other men could have killed John O'Keefe.
At final pretrial hearing, Karen Read's defense team claims 3 other men could have killed John O'Keefe https://t.co/Zh5bF5Bi98
3 officers injured, one man deceased. We see what the March 29 standoff looked like through body cam footage provided by Sparks PD. https://t.co/sHHk9km5uD
At final pretrial hearing, Karen Read's defense team claims 3 other men could have killed John O'Keefe @KristinaRex https://t.co/Zh5bF5Bi98
WATCH: San Juan Police body camera footage from the night of the arrest https://t.co/igKrU8b23G https://t.co/tOjtXDNbgz
Lally now arguing to keep the internal affairs investigation of Trooper Proctor and lawsuit against a Canton Police Sgt out of the trial. Judge takes it under advisement
Prosecutor Lally now arguing to keep any direct reference of the federal investigation out of trial. He says it would be unfair
Prosecution wants to admit body cam video of Read's arrest. Defense objects - saying image of Read in handcuffs at police station is prejudicial. Judge wants to see video this afternoon
Prosecutor Lally said the Aruba argument continued until the murder of John O'Keefe
Prosecutor Lally says the Aruba argument goes to motive and he says O'Keefe tried to break up with Read after it. He says Read texted Higgins about it.
Defense atty Little requesting Judge block prosecution from talking about a verbal argument Karen Read got in to Aruba in 2021, where she told a women who hugged O'Keefe to F-off, according to witnesses who testified at the state grand jury
Defense now arguing their request to exclude the results of a DNA test of a hair prosecution says was found on Read's Lexus. Defense says they have received no lab reports on it.
Judge asking Read's defense team if they are pursuing a 3rd party culprit defense because she says defense hasn't filed a motion to admit 3rd party evidence. David Yannetti says yes and he will file paper on it if needed.