DEDHAM, MASS. (WHDH) – The choose within the Karen Learn homicide case is tasked with figuring out whether or not an knowledgeable witness ought to testify in Learn’s second homicide trial.
In a pretrial listening to Tuesday, a prosecutor revealed the state has examined a German shepherd named Chloe, a canine that has been on the middle of the protection’s principle that sufferer John O’Keefe was killed in a battle at a celebration in January 2022.
“Are you aware that Chloe exists? We supplied discover to you that we went up and noticed Chloe and took molds. Do you know that?” particular prosecutor Hank Brennan requested the protection knowledgeable in court docket.
Brennan questioned Dr. Marie Russell, a retired California emergency room physician who says she’s certified to be an knowledgeable on figuring out canine bites.
Decide Beverly Cannone, who allowed Russell to testify in Learn’s first trial, is now reevaluating whether or not Russell is certified to giver her opinions once more. Learn’s first trial resulted in a hung jury.
Brennan questioned Russell about docs employed by the U.S. Legal professional’s workplace in a separate federal probe who gave the opinion O’Keefe’s accidents weren’t attributable to a canine chew.
“They don’t have my expertise,” Russell mentioned in response.
Brennan pushed again, asking if she knew she actually had extra expertise than them.
Learn is charged with second-degree homicide and two different felonies in reference to the dying of O’Keefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend.
Whereas the state says a drunken Learn backed into O’Keefe and left him outdoors to die within the snow, Learn claims she dropped off O’Keefe at a Canton dwelling and that he died in a battle at a celebration.
The protection says Chloe, the household canine on the Canton dwelling, bit O’Keefe and brought on wounds to his proper forearm.
Whereas Brennan argued the choose ought to maintain Russell off the stand as a result of she depends solely on her opinion, the protection says that’s not the case.
“You couldn’t give you a extra excellent witness for the subject material of this testimony,” mentioned protection legal professional Robert Alessi.
Cannone advised the legal professionals Tuesday she needs to verify the retrial begins April 1. It was initially scheduled to start in three weeks.
“April 1, 2026 could be higher, however I’m glad for the continuance,” Learn joked outdoors the courthouse.
Cannone will take time for the choice concerning Russell testifying.
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