Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield

Episode: Mystery Juror Drama Halts Courtroom + Forensic Bombshells | Karen Reed Trial Day 20

Release Date: May 22, 2025

Introduction: Day 20 of Karen Reed's Murder Trial

In the 20th day of Karen Reed's high-profile murder trial, host Ashleigh Banfield delves into unexpected courtroom drama and pivotal forensic revelations that have the case teetering on the brink of significant developments.

Unexpected Courtroom Halt Due to Juror Issues

[00:35] Ashleigh Banfield opens the episode by recounting the day's events: “…today was supposed to be business as usual. But court had barely begun before everything came to a screeching halt.” The sudden disruption was initiated by Judge Beverly Kanoni, who cited a "mysterious issue" necessitating immediate attention.

• Judge Kanoni's Announcement:
  • [02:15]: "An issue has come to my attention that is going to make it necessary that I talk to each one of you at sidebar."

The court was swiftly cleared, including the press, and live stream was terminated abruptly. Ashleigh speculates that the interruption may have stemmed from jurors breaching protocol by discussing the case among themselves—a violation that could jeopardize the trial’s integrity.

• Juror Reassignments:
  • Two jurors were repositioned within the courtroom, hinting at possible conversations about the case: one juror moved from the front to the back row and another vice versa.

Ashleigh offers her insights: “… it tells me that maybe these two jurors might have been chit-chatting and maybe someone else squealed or at least let the judge know.”

She empathizes with the jurors' predicament, acknowledging the immense pressure and monotony they face: “…they are stuck there. They can’t just get up and then go do something else or check their email when they’re bored.”

Resumption of Testimony: Forensic Insights and Emotional Toll

After over an hour of delay, the trial resumed with significant forensic testimony.

Dr. Ezek Wolf's Testimony: Blunt Trauma Analysis

[15:00] Ashleigh narrates the testimony of Dr. Ezek Wolf, a neurosurgeon called by the prosecution:

• Blunt Trauma Findings:
  • Dr. Wolf reviewed autopsy photos and the medical examiner's report, identifying a “classic blunt trauma injury” on John O'Keeffe’s head.
  • [16:45]: "This is exactly what happens when soft tissue, like somebody's scalp hits something hard, like pavement."

Dr. Wolf posited that O'Keeffe likely fell backward, striking his head on the ground. He emphasized that the injury pattern did not align with a weapon like a baseball bat, which would typically cause a depressed skull fracture—absent in this case.

During his testimony, graphic photos were shown to the jury, eliciting a poignant reaction from O'Keeffe's mother, Peggy, who silently exited the courtroom: “…she was in there for this. So everybody asked her what happened, what was going on, and she told reporters that she wasn’t allowed to talk about it.”

Ashleigh reflects on the emotional weight of the testimony: “No matter what you think about this case, you have to feel for Peggy because she's a mom, and she lost her son in an awful way.”

• Raccoon Eyes Explanation:
  • Dr. Wolf also discussed "raccoon eyes," dark bruising around the eyes indicative of a skull fracture at the base of the head. He clarified that while these do not cause skin to break open, O'Keeffe had a separate laceration on his upper right eyelid, which Dr. Wolf considered unrelated to the skull fracture.

[25:30] Defense Lawyer Bob Alessi cross-examined Dr. Wolf, probing the significance of the eyelid cut. Dr. Wolf maintained that the injury did not correlate with the skull fracture or the purported fall.

Forensic Scientist Christina Hanley's Evidence Examination

Glass and Plastic Debris Analysis

[30:00] The prosecution [Adam Lally] called Christina Hanley, a forensic scientist from the Massachusetts State Police, to the stand. Her testimony centered on glass and plastic fragments found on O'Keeffe's clothing.

• Glass Evidence:

  • Out of nine clear glass pieces recovered, six could be pieced together, while three remained unattached.

• Red Plastic Fragments:

  • Hanley identified red plastic fragments from O'Keeffe's clothing as chemically similar to those from the broken taillight of Karen Reed's Lexus SUV.
  • She explained her method using infrared spectroscopy: “…a spectrum, a graph that shows the material's unique fingerprint.”

[40:15] During cross-examination by defense lawyer Alan Jackson, Hanley's testimony faced scrutiny:

• Definitive Link Questioned:

  • Alan Jackson: "Can you say definitively that the red plastic found on John O'Keeffe came from Karen Reed's SUV?"
  • Christina Hanley: "I could not answer that definitively. It may have originated from the Lexus or another source with the same characteristics."

• Alternative Sources Introduced:

  • Jackson highlighted that red plastic solo cups shared the same chemical properties as the taillight fragments, introducing reasonable doubt regarding the origin of the plastic found on O'Keeffe.

Hanley's testimony concluded without establishing a concrete link between the plastic fragments and Reed's vehicle, casting uncertainty over the forensic evidence presented.

Court Proceedings Ahead and Juror Break

Following intense testimony and cross-examinations, Judge Kanoni announced that the court was ahead of schedule, resulting in an extended recess:

• Court Schedule Update:
  • No hearings on Thursday, May 22, and Friday, May 23.
  • The courthouse will remain closed on Monday, Memorial Day, resuming the trial the following Tuesday.

Ashleigh underscores the significance of the break: “This is a very, very long weekend to pause, to reset, maybe to absorb everything they've seen and heard so far in the case.”

However, the jurors face the challenge of maintaining silence about the trial during the break, especially with the holiday weekend—a period ripe for inquiries from friends and family.

Looking Ahead: Anticipated Trial Developments

As the trial pauses, the defense suggests that the prosecution may soon be ready to rest their case, potentially shifting momentum in the courtroom. Ashleigh anticipates intensified proceedings as Karen Reed's legal team prepares to present their arguments.

• Upcoming Discussions:
  • Continued forensic analysis.
  • Defense strategies to counterprosecution evidence.

Ashleigh concludes with a glimpse into future episodes, hinting at related cases and ongoing investigations: “…the big development in the Idaho case… Brian Kohberger's lawyers are very worried and they want a delay in the trial…”

Conclusion

Day 20 of Karen Reed's trial has been marked by unexpected courtroom interruptions and pivotal forensic testimonies that both support and challenge the prosecution’s case. As the trial takes a prolonged recess, all eyes remain on how these developments will influence the eventual verdict. Ashleigh Banfield promises comprehensive coverage of every twist and turn, ensuring listeners stay informed on this compelling journey through mystery and justice.

Notable Quotes:

• Judge Kanoni on Juror Issue: "An issue has come to my attention that is going to make it necessary that I talk to each one of you at sidebar." [02:15]

• Dr. Ezek Wolf on Blunt Trauma: "This is exactly what happens when soft tissue, like somebody's scalp hits something hard, like pavement." [16:45]

• Ashleigh on Jurors' Situation: "They are stuck there. They can’t just get up and then go do something else or check their email when they’re bored." [08:30]

• Ashleigh on Peggy O'Keeffe: "No matter what you think about this case, you have to feel for Peggy because she's a mom, and she lost her son in an awful way." [21:10]

• Christina Hanley on Red Plastic Evidence: "I could not answer that definitively. It may have originated from the Lexus or another source with the same characteristics." [39:50]

Stay tuned for more updates every Thursday and ensure you subscribe to Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield for in-depth analysis and coverage of true crime cases that captivate and intrigue.