Podcast Summary: Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield

Episode Title: Former Cop Accuses Defense of Threats in Karen Read Trial Bombshell | Karen Read Trial Day 25
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Host: Ashleigh Banfield

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield, host Ashleigh delves into Day 25 of the high-profile Karen Read trial. With her extensive background in true crime reporting, Ashleigh provides an in-depth analysis of recent court developments, including explosive testimonies and critical evidence that could sway the jury's perspective.

Officer Dever's Controversial Testimony

One of the episode's focal points is the testimony of Officer Dever, a former SA Police Officer, whose statements have ignited significant tension in the courtroom.

• Initial Conflict:

  • Ashleigh Banfield (00:00): "SA Officer Dever shot back, 'I have no idea why I'm here. I have no connection to this case.' But that didn't stop the defense from grilling her."

• Challenge to Prior Statement:

  • During cross-examination, the defense probed Officer Dever about her previous testimony regarding Brian Higgins and Karen Read’s SUV at the Canton Police Department.
  • Erin's Lawyer (Timestamp not provided): Asked if she had informed an outside law enforcement agency about seeing Brian Higgins with the SUV.

• Officer Dever's Rebuttal:

  • Officer Dever (Timestamp not provided): Stated, "That was my recollection at the time," but quickly admitted, "I now know that memory was wrong because of the timeline showing when the SUV actually arrived at the garage."
  • She emphasized the integrity of her current statement: "I've discussed this previously. I can't make this statement on the stand because I've been provided information released by the defense that it was not a memory, it was a distorted memory. Therefore, I can't state it because at this point it would be a lie."

• Defense's Pushback:

  • Karen's Lawyer (Timestamp not provided): Countered, "Ms. Dever, I've never asked you to make a statement one way or another on the stand. I'm asking you an open-ended question."

• Escalation of Tension:

  • Under cross-examination by Prosecutor Hank Brennan, Officer Dever accused the defense of threatening her with perjury charges.
  • Officer Dever (Timestamp not provided): "They became very aggressive, raised their voices. The one word I can very definitely remember is they said they would charge me with perjury."
  • Karen's Lawyer: "The fact of the matter is nobody ever threatened you with perjury. Did they?"
    Officer Dever: "Oh, they did. Yes. I contacted the FBI regarding it, and that was that."

Dr. Marie Russell’s Dog Bite Analysis

Another pivotal moment in the trial was the testimony of Dr. Marie Russell, a forensic pathologist who presented a startling alternative theory regarding John O'Keefe's injuries.

• Unexpected Findings:

  • Ashleigh Banfield (during discussion of testimony): "Dr. Marie Russell testified that the wounds on John O'Keefe's arm weren't caused by a car, but by a dog. Multiple strikes, she said, from canine teeth and possibly claws."

• Witness Credibility and Evidence:

  • Dr. Russell showcased images of O'Keefe’s wounds, arguing they matched a dog's tooth marks.
  • Dr. Marie Russell: "There was no motor vehicle trauma, no typical signs of being struck by a car, just clusters of injuries before death consistent with a dog attack."
  • She further stated, "I've evaluated more than 500 dog bites in my career, including at least 60 severe ones, and have treated countless victims of pedestrian car crashes. O'Keeffe's wounds do not match a car. They match a dog."

• Dog's Background:

  • Ashleigh Banfield: "The dog in this particular story is a German Shepherd named Chloe, who had a history of being aggressive."

• Prosecutor's Cross-Examination:

  • Prosecutor Hank Brennan: Questioned Dr. Russell's lack of formal certification in dog bite analysis.
  • Dr. Russell: "I don't think any exist."
  • When pressed about identifying wounds without knowing their origin, she responded, "No, but I've been documenting and photographing dog bites since the 1990s."
  • Highlighting discrepancies, Prosecutor Brennan pointed to the medical examiner's report stating, "the wounds on John O'Keefe's arm were superficial, with no punctures and no depth."
  • Dr. Russell: "That's not inconsistent with my conclusion."
  • Dr. Russell (final remark during confrontation): "In medicine, we're taught that nothing is ever 100%, but I am confident these injuries were caused by a dog attack."

• Courtroom Reaction:

  • The intense exchange led to a sidebar, and the jury was sent home, leaving the courtroom in suspense.
  • Ashleigh Banfield: "Dr. Russell is expected back on the stand on Tuesday, and you can bet the cross-examination is not over."

Key Takeaways and Implications

Ashleigh Banfield synthesizes the day's events, highlighting the courtroom drama and its potential impact on the trial's outcome.

• Pressure on the Jury:

  • "A witness who says she was pressured by the defense, a state investigator exposed for calling the defendant vulgar names, and a dog bite expert who says this wasn't a hit and run, it was a dog mauling. That's a lot for any jury to process."

• Forward Look:

  • "The defense is just getting started. And we will be right back here tomorrow."

Conclusion

This episode of Drop Dead Serious offers a riveting glimpse into the complexities and high stakes of the Karen Read trial. Ashleigh Banfield masterfully navigates through the testimonies, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the unfolding drama and its broader implications. Her detailed recounting of Officer Dever's confrontations and Dr. Russell's controversial dog bite theory underscores the multifaceted nature of legal battles and the pursuit of truth in the face of conflicting narratives.

Notable Quotes:

• Officer Dever (00:00): "I have no idea why I'm here. I have no connection to this case."
• Dr. Marie Russell: "I am confident these injuries were caused by a dog attack."
• Karen's Lawyer: "The fact of the matter is nobody ever threatened you with perjury. Did they?"
• Ashleigh Banfield: "The truth isn't just serious, it's drop dead serious."

For those intrigued by the twists and turns of high-stakes trials, this episode is a must-listen, offering both detailed reporting and insightful analysis from one of true crime's most seasoned voices.