
Paula Prado, juror #11, sat down with Sue O'Connell for a conversation about the Karen Read trial, including her impressions of the attorneys and witnesses, what she perceived as holes in the investigation, and what she knew about the case before it all started.
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Tevin
So tell me about your feeling when you found out that you were going to be on the jury. When you went to your voir dire in jury selection and they picked you to be on this jury, how did you feel?
Paul
When I was in the room, when I received the letter, I actually liked the idea because I'd never been a jury before. I wanted to know how the process is. For me it was like a 12 day thing. It's going to be fun to do it. When the judge said oh it might take eight weeks, I was like wow, I hope I'm not selected. And once I was selected, I had to run. All I could think was the logistics of everything. So I just want to run home and make phone calls to arrange everything. But I was excited. I was happy to be part of the process. I had no clue it was that big. It was a mediatic case. I had no clue to get a lot of attention. But I did like the idea of being part of something that big and important.
Tevin
Can you tell me what you knew about the case? Of course. The understanding is that you don't have to be ignorant of the case. You just have to not have an opinion formed. Right. And be open minded and evaluate the evidence in the courtroom. So what did you know about the Karen Reed case before you you started hearing evidence?
Paul
I know she had a billboard on Route 1. Every time I go grocery shop I see free cutting Reed. That's all I knew about her and her name. I also saw some lounge that had signs free cutting Reed, but didn't strike me to go search and understand what it was. So I had no clue what crime or what she did, who she was, who John was, nothing. I really didn't know. And I never heard about those supporters, the big crowd she has. I just start. I learned that the pink was her color, like mid trial. So I stopped wearing pink because I had a lot of pink shirts and I don't want to give the wrong vibe. I didn't really know. I don't watch local news, I don't watch television. I had a pause on social media and whatever I have on social media. My X account is. My Last post is 2022. My Instagram post, last one was last year. So I just didn't have access to what was going on here. I'm more interested in international news, Brazilian news, and that was it.
Tevin
Can we talk about your background a little bit? Because you came, I called you the expressive juror because the jurors I thought generally were very stoic, took a lot of notes, a lot of heads down. You took a lot of notes. But as the trial went on, your expressions became a little bit more obvious. I know that you were controlling them because I could see you, but I also couldn't read what you were reacting to. Like if it was sometimes you'd have the same look going back and forth between the lawyer and the witness. Can you talk about your background a little bit?
Paul
Yes. I have a law degree from Brazil. I'm licensed to work in Brazil. I graduated in 2010 and then right after, a year and a half after I moved to the States to study, to learn English. I didn't know English before I got here and I never worked again as a lawyer. I just helped some colleagues I have in Brazil with some cases. Sometimes I can do a petition from here. I still know how to write and think like a lawyer. And I also have an MBA in marketing because my life is here now and I want to do something professionally after my kids grow a little bit. So I combine marketing with my law degree and I work with the Brazilian law offices to do their digital marketing, the social media and do things. Another reason why I was involved with the social media. But all in Brazil, everything I saw was all in Brazil was never here.
Tevin
When you reached out to me, you indicated that I don't want to put words in your mouth. And I don't remember exactly, but it was surprising to you what people were thinking about the case after you were able to plug back in to the world about the case. What are some of the misconceptions you think people out there have that you've seen? And is there anything that they're getting right?
Paul
Some people got things right. I reached out to you because I thought you had a good impression of us. I choose the journalists I want to talk to. More people came on the way, but I didn't have a chance to look to all the media and all the the news about us. I just look an ex and I start as soon as we get back in the room after we give the verdict. I just opened my ex account old and it started to following everybody. I didn't know your name. I didn't know anybody's name. So we start like guessing who is this? Who is that? And there was some misconception, misunderstanding. The jury sent a note to the judge asking her to stop objecting. Brennan or John o' Keeffe's brother had to change seats because a jury complained. Or the jury. Let me remember one more. The jury were uncomfortable with Paul o' Keefe. The jury said no to the judge. The last one. The jury already know everything. They just are hanging on the second degree murder. That's never happened inside the deliberation. But some reporter said that, like, how do you know? You don't know. The jury is my cousin. He said X, Y and Z. No, your cousin wasn't there. So I read a lot of this.
Tevin
And you felt like you wanted to just get the record straight that your experience as the juror did not match what was happening on social media.
Paul
No, we never send a note to the judge before the deliberation. We never complain. We are very happy group of people, you know, fulfilling our duty and that's it.
Tevin
So I know that I kept posting that it's very different watching the trial and then being in the courtroom. Very different experience. So people would react to the judge's heavy sighs or witnesses heavy sighs, which I know you didn't hear because I didn't hear and there's no amplification in the courtroom. But one thing people and I think I went ahead and projected onto you plural ustedes that there was some growing frustration with the number of sidebars toward the end of the trial. Because at one point I thought the judge said this will be quick, and you all laughed like, yeah, tell us about it. Were you just patient with it? Knew that this is the cost of being on a trial or did it start to wear you down a Little bit.
Paul
No, we didn't care about the sidebar at all. And we even said that to the judge when she came to talk to us after the sidebar for us was a moment to stretch, to close our eyes, to clear your head. We didn't mind the sidebar. We laughed because was probably not true. That would be quickly and all the time she apologized and everything. And we think it's funny to apologize. We know it's part of the process. We expected that to happen. I feel like sometimes judge or lawyers, they would talk to us like if we have no clue what the court process is, what the system is, what the legal system is. And we do. Not just me, everybody does. We understand it's part of it. So we like the sidebars. And I can speak for all of us.
Tevin
We like it like more sidebars.
Paul
Yes. Because we can stretch. We stop. We didn't like when she says, oh, we're going to get here 8:30 and then we're going to get inside at 9:30. Did that make sense? Or they get late, too long of a lunch break because they need to do the sidebars. So I guess the sidebars without us, we didn't like much because we want to get going. But the sidebars with us inside the court, we are okay with it.
Tevin
What about this is just a personal question for how people related. I know that I can't sit for 10 minutes without my phone, right. I can't pick up, you know, if I'm sitting waiting for something, I want to get my phone. I just want to look at it. I want to scroll through stuff, even if it's unimportant. And I kept looking at all of you having to sit there in some of the sidebars, which would go for a long time. And your generation. I mean, I'm 63, right. So I actually remember having to sit doing nothing. Was there this anxiety that some. And I. I know I don't want you to speak for other people, but I'm sure you chit chatted about it. Was there an anxiety of nervousness, of not having a device, or did you look at it as a Zen moment that maybe I'll reclaim my.
Paul
I think the first few weeks for me at least was hard, especially because I want to check what was going home, going home with my kids. So it was hard to not have the phone. But we got used to after two, three weeks, I guess I did. At least I was okay with it being sitting down, listening that much information. That was hard because most of us were out of college or haven't been in school for such a long time. And it felt like we were back in school and you should take notes and pay attention. So took me a while to get used to again, to have that much information and learn and understand everything. But other than that, we learned it. We got used to.
Tevin
All right, so I'll preface this with you. We're all very professional, very studious, took a lot of notes. What was the giggling about? You had two giggling episodes, and I know that you tried. I saw all three of you trying to bring it back together. And I have to admit, I had a giggling episode with a court officer during some testimony. So it happens.
Paul
I remember one of them was because I think Alan Jackson asked UD Buchanan, the judge asked, you expect me to read all this? And then Alan Jackson said, yes, I do. So we laugh about it because it was a thick document. And another, I don't remember another one, but that one, the three of us laughed and I think the judge called us to ask individual questions on the following day or two days after. And we thought it was because of that, because the three of us just started laughing, me and Duro 4, that's also speaking.
Tevin
And Jason.
Paul
Jason and the other lady between us. So was because of that, like sometimes and we try not some witnesses show or said something that was so absurd or some interactions between lawyers and the witness was a bit rude. So we have to kept together, you know, be quiet. But something quite entertaining.
Tevin
Tell me. It's a workplace basically too, so things happen that you end up having a private joke about something and it just gets out of hand sometimes. Talk to me about the reaction when the verdict was read and the crowd outside screamed and cheered because after the first verdict that was not guilty, it was hard to hear in there. And outside just erupted. Were you shocked about that? Tell me what it felt like as you heard the juror, you heard your verdict being read and then you heard the crowd outside.
Paul
To be honest with you, I don't remember what happened in that courtroom that day, that moment, because once I heard the people outside, I just closed my eyes and I started crying and I left the courtroom without looking to anyone. I did not expect to hear it because through the whole trial, we didn't hear anything on a jury room. We did not saw many people outside because we come from the back of the courthouse. So we would see someone walk with a pink shirt here and there, but that was it. Never hear chanting or comments or laughing or yelling or booing. Nothing and particular to me. When I heard that people screaming out of happiness. At the same time, I was seeing John Wilkee's family crying out of sadness. And that broke my heart. So that moment I kind of understood how big this case was and how we are making someone happen and we're making a lot of other people sad too. So I don't remember what happened. Courtroom that moment I just closed my eyes and cried.
Tevin
When you reached out to me, you noted that you felt that justice had been served for Karen Reid but hadn't been served for John o' Keefe and his family. Can you talk about what that means?
Paul
Well, through the whole trial, I observe a lot of his family, his mom and moments to cry. Other family members or friends cry too. And it's emotional. It's a life. It's a person who lost his life unnecessarily. None of us know what happened to him. What we know is that wasn't Karin Reed responsible for his death. She did not kill him. And if she did, the police and the Commonwealth didn't prove that to us. So still I feel super happy that she got justice and she's going to live her life and I hope she have a great life ahead of her. And I feel extremely upset and frustrated that John o' Keeffe's family, his mom, his father who were there, his brother, they going to still hanging on the question who killed John o' Keeffe and what's going to happen? For now, I don't know. I know there is a civil case that can come up now. I don't know if the decision. Sorry, I don't know if the DA said anything or Mr. Brenno, I didn't hear from anybody. But I really hope this case can be reopened and they can investigate it and find who killed John o' Keefe.
Tevin
Who do you hold responsible?
Paul
I can't hold anybody responsible because at the same way I did not convict Cutting Reed because I didn't have proof of. Of her being participating in his death. I cannot say other people did. But I do have my suspicions, and I already spoke about this, that something happened inside the house and that I find very fishy that Brian Higgins and Brian Alberts and the rest of the family were investigated. I'm not even talking about the guests of the party that night. They were guests, but there was a moment in the court that a picture of the front of the house was shown to us and they had to take us out of the courtroom to cover the garage door. And I wonder why can't we see the garage door? Why Dr. La Posada couldn't speak about what she saw in pictures. This was objected, so it wasn't on the record, I think. But she said something about, I saw real estate pictures, she said in court and then objected. And we needed to not consider that question. But once the word is out, I wonder why. What was inside the house that we couldn't hear about it or why we couldn't see the picture of the garage.
Tevin
It's such a challenge to be told that it's objected and sustained and don't think about it or, you know, we're going to strike it from the record. Forget that we just said that. It does seem like an absurd way. I mean, and that's for every trial. It seems like an absurd way to run a trial.
Paul
Yeah, yeah. We did not consider that information when we're delivering it, of course. But still in my head now, and I want to know what happened at the garage, what happened at the house, why that people never came out, why what Brian Higgins was doing at 2am, 1am at the police station.
Latoya
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Tevin
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Raul
This is nothing like we saw in the first trial.
Tevin
It's not a television show.
Latoya
It's real life, unmatched team coverage.
Tevin
It really is nothing typical when it comes to this case.
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Tevin
Let'S talk about the cases a little bit. When the, when the prosecution rested, what was the narrative? What was the point that you believe the commonwealth was trying to convince you of? If I had to tell you what was ask you what the prosecution's argument was to you, what would you say it was?
Paul
Well, they want to convince us that she back up her car fast enough to clip him till I cut his arm and throw him away. He hits his floor on a frozen lawn and died. That's it. And she saw everything and left the scene.
Tevin
Were there any witnesses for the prosecution that you felt did a good job moving that narrative forward and proving that?
Paul
No, because just the eyewitness could say all that. And that case was. Jim McCabe was the only one we heard and we couldn't believe everything she was saying. Her story was very credible, was very well said. I think that's the expression, but didn't make much sense. It's like if she was coached, I think some of the jurors felt the same way.
Tevin
What about any of the expert witnesses for the commonwealth? Were there any that you think did a good job? And who do you think just did a bad job?
Paul
Bad job. Clearly they're calling him Blue Man Welcher. Welcher, yeah. Dr. Welcher. I mean, without my respect to his work and his job, I don't think he was trying to hide something or convince him of something. I just think he didn't do a good job. That's it. Maybe his businesses needed to step it up in the game and learn a little more techniques to spend some more money on things that actually matter than buy a new Lexus. So, yeah, it was, to me felt like a joke. That video that they presented to us to prove that Joan Keefe was hit by a car, I mean, okay, I can put my arm in here and just wait for a two mile car come. Anyone can do this. And you pay almost $400,000 for that person. So that felt to me, I felt very uncomfortable. So, yeah, he's. And his colleague, Mr. Shannon, I really don't care about his degree. Everybody's talking about us. How many years to complete a degree, Whatever. He has experience. He's been working with the company for eight years. According his profile, he made some mistakes. Okay, but adding Mr. Welcher and him together and the amount of money was paid for them to do a great job. I don't think they did. And credible witnesses, the lab, the forensic expertise, the scientists, the DNA people, the people who check his shirt or piece of DNA on the taillight or not all this. The people from the state. From the Boston. No, Massachusetts State Police lab. All of them. I think they work with what was given to them and they did a good job. I didn't feel they were lying or trying to make up information for us.
Tevin
And so what about the defense? Who do you think did a good job on the defense side for making the case? And who do you think didn't help or made it worse?
Paul
I don't think anybody on the defense side made the worst. They just corroborate for the things we have listened prior. Dr. La Posada for me was very good. And the ARCA witness, I now know that they didn't want us to hear the ARCA professionals, they made it this clear and easy for a regular person like me to understand what really happened with data, with the videos, with the dummy, what the weight of the dummy. That discussion was so unnecessary. Also Officer Dever, which we can't say her name wrong, she gets really upset. Officer Dever was scary to say the least. Because I mean, I can see she might be a little immature. She's young, she looks young and new in the police force. But she sold vibe of being so desperate and angry to everyone like a child complaining, fighting with their mom. I mean, I just feel like unsafe to have a person with that level of immaturity carrying a gun among us.
Tevin
What was your reaction or impression? There were, as you said, there were some state police lab people, there were some state troopers that gave very good testimony. But you know, Yuri Buchenik, who seemed to me as one person when the commonwealth was interviewing him and questioning him and then someone else when the defense was. What was your reaction to Trooper Buchanak's testimony with him?
Paul
I was very close to him, like two seats away from him and sometimes I could see him like making a fist and he was really uncomfortable with some questions and the sarcastic comments between him and Alan Jackson entertaining. Felt to me that he was very protective of his job and his colleagues. So this blue wall that I'm learning now what that means, he's probably like a good representative of the blue wall, I think.
Tevin
And former state trooper Michael Proctor, who was all over the trial but never appeared. Did you have some sort of image or story about him in your head?
Paul
Sue, who is Michael Proctor like? I didn't know. I still don't know. I know he gave an interview last night. I'm dying to watch. I don't know. I can't put a name in the face together. All the times in my notebooks I have Michael Proctor cash. Where is Michael Proctor? I don't know who he was. I learned he was fired during the trial by some of the witness or lawyers. Comment. I said, okay, so maybe he's not going to show up because he was fired and everything he did was other troops are bringing up to us, but we didn't know who he was as a person.
Tevin
How did that impact your deliberations for.
Paul
You personally, I didn't mind not seeing him because he was already fired and everybody else did a good job of bringing his role in investigation to Us. I did mind not hear from Brian Higgins and Brian Halbersha. I think they should be there.
Tevin
Did you when the defense called Proctor's friend to read the texts, the offensive texts in the last trial, Trooper Proctor testified and he had to read them. And at one point saying the C word, the judge told him, those are your words. You have to say them. And the jury was shocked by it. And observers now say it didn't seem that it had the same impact. How was your reaction to hearing the text messages that Trooper Proctor sent? Former Trooper Proctor sent to his friends?
Paul
There was some wording that made me feel disgusted and upset. It's not that you don't have the same reaction. If it was him reading, it's like just like cutting Reed and Brady Higgins text message. If it was him reading or her. It's not about who is reading, it's about the content. Okay. At that point when that friend came and read all the text messages, we already knew that Michael Proctor was a police officer who was fired, who had been accused of corruption or frame cutting, read whatever. So we already expect that something bad would come from this guy. So that's why I think you didn't see a shocking face, a shocking expression on our faces, but was disgusting, was unprofessional, and just make me think what else. What other cases could be judged like this based on the person, appearance or relationship or dominion? I don't know.
Tevin
Now, this is a little bit of a biased question because you have law training, but looking at the lawyers, who do you think did the best job even if they didn't win the case, even if they. Who would you look forward to getting up to be the. To ask the questions or do the director of the Cross. Was there one lawyer that you'd be like, oh, this will be interesting, or I like watching.
Paul
I like watching all of them. I like Brennan Special prosecutor Hank Brennan. Hank Brennan, yes. I think he have a bad case. He had an investigation full of holes and he had to convict her with what he have. I didn't like the way he acted at the end. He felt like he was a little desperate or angry, showing some signs of disrespect. But. What's his name? Bob Alessi.
Tevin
How about Robert Alessi?
Paul
Robert Alessi, Yes. This is my favorite lawyer because I think the way he talks like such a gentleman, so kind. At the same time he's crushing a witness with information. So was very interesting to watch.
Tevin
We had a theory for folks who we thought on the jury who looked like they liked watching Robert Alessi. People watching at home would say, oh, my God, this is boring, this is terrible. And I actually commented that I thought after you saw Bob Alessi a couple of times, you knew if you just stayed with him, there would be a payoff, right? So, like the weather, the whole weather, the weather, what are we getting to? And finally there was a payoff, right?
Paul
Definitely repetitive trying to get there. But he was trying to get the right information to us in a way we could understand, and we all appreciate that. So made the technical information easy, the technical witnesses smoother for us to listen to.
Tevin
And did you know that Alan Jackson was the LA lawyer? Did you have any feelings about watching him?
Paul
Wednesday night after I got home, my uncle, who is an attorney and we used to live in California, he said that he's a Hollywood lawyer. I said, great, let me look up. And that was it. Because as soon as I finish everything, I just want to follow everybody and start following everyone that was in the trial. But I didn't know. Never heard his name before, but I heard he's one of the best lawyers in the country. So what a pleasure to watch him working. And David Ionetti didn't know before he didn't take the podium that much, but when he did, he caught our attention. He very articulated and overall, to me, was very interesting having the opportunity to watch these people working and make justice.
Tevin
What do you hope the message from this trial is? Is there something you hope will change? Is there something you hope people who have plugged in, you know, this is entertainment to some people, understandably. But someone died, someone was on trial for murder. Families were broken, communities are broken. As you said, there's no justice for John o' Keefe yet. What's something you hope either changes and. Or people take away from this experience?
Paul
I think if the community in general were able to get together and gather information and support and financial help for Karen Reed in this case, if they were able to do this for her, I think we now have to do the same thing for John o' Cafe and o' Keeffe's family. Corruption, it's not. Michael Proctor is a cancer. Corruption is a cancer. And I'm from a Latin country. We know Brazil. We had many cases with corruption. I'm from Rio de Janeiro is one of the most dangerous place in Brazil. And it speaks to me, this case, because it's injustice, it's police corruption. And how many people are in jail right now because of a bad investigation, because of a bias of a police officer, investigators, because of a bad system because of lack of money to have good lawyers like Alan Jackson, Bob Alessi and David Iannetti and Dr. Lero. I don't want to forget her. She was very spot on. She didn't take the stand, but she was always there with the documents like we found her work incredible. So the message is, let's continue fight for justice for John o' Keefe. Let the. We cannot let corruption run the country in any level, police level, government level. We have the power. We are the people. We have the power and we have to use this power. We need to get away of fake news, get away of no sense social media. Look for the root of the problem, look for real journalists, real news, real information and fight and continue fighting, continue complaining and protest and do what needs to be done for a better society. They have young children. So I wanted them to grow up in a better place, in a safer place.
Tevin
Do you have a message for the news media?
Paul
Please don't lie. Don't create stories and make people confused and make one side against another angry and create unnecessary fights, unnecessary discussion. Why are we discussing? We are online arguing, wasting our times about the seat of polka. You know, why is that relevant? A person died, another one's about to go to jail for no reason. Be more responsible and doesn't worth it for you guys to get a word and the news out there and the likes for it if it's not true.
Tevin
And what about social media users? Do you have a word for them?
Paul
Look for good journalists. Go to court, Go see yourself, watch the TV court seven hours trial and make your own conclusions. Don't just listen from other people.
Tevin
Do you have anything else that I missed? Anything you want to say that I didn't cover?
Paul
No, it's all good. I just want to again I start coming. I come out to talk about this because I just wanted the o' Keeffe family know that it's not our fault. We don't want John o' Keeffe to be. We don't want his kids to die. None of us. I can speak for all the jurors. We all felt really bad for the family. We all believe Joan was a great man and we all want the justice to be served to him too and his family. And the right person goes pay for this because the person died. And whoever did or whatever happened need to come out.
Tevin
Well, thank you for reaching out to me. I'm really thrilled to meet you after watching you for 40 days too.
Paul
Yeah, it was a pleasure. Like I said, I choose the people I want to about talk. You were one of them because I saw your reports. I couldn't see everything but from what I saw you have like a true impression of us. You were more spot on. You really solve us for you really report what was happening there. Wasn't just like creating stories for likes. So that's why I reach out.
Tevin
I appreciate that. Thank you Paul. Thank you so much. No problem.
Paul
Thank you for having me.
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Summary of "One-on-one with Juror 11: Why She Believes Karen Read is Innocent"
Podcast Information:
In this compelling episode of The Karen Read Murder Trial: Canton Confidential, NBC10 Boston host Tevin engages in an in-depth conversation with Paul, Juror 11, who shares her unique perspective on the high-profile case involving the alleged murder of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe by Karen Read. Paul provides candid insights into her experiences, the trial's dynamics, and her firm belief in Karen Read's innocence.
Selection and Emotions: Tevin begins by exploring Paul's feelings upon being selected as a juror. Paul recounts her initial excitement and naivety regarding the jury process:
"When I was in the room, when I received the letter, I actually liked the idea because I'd never been a jury before. I wanted to know how the process is." ([01:23])
Despite the uncertainty about the trial's length, Paul was enthusiastic about contributing to such a significant legal matter.
Professional Background: Delving into her qualifications, Paul reveals a robust educational background:
"I have a law degree from Brazil... I combine marketing with my law degree and I work with the Brazilian law offices to do their digital marketing." ([04:05])
Her legal training from Brazil and subsequent MBA in marketing equipped her with the analytical skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the trial.
Limited Prior Knowledge: Paul emphasizes her limited initial awareness of the case:
"I know she had a billboard on Route 1... I really didn't know what crime or what she did, who she was, who John was, nothing." ([02:29])
Her lack of exposure to local media and social platforms meant she approached the trial without preconceived notions, striving to remain unbiased.
Courtroom Dynamics: Tevin highlights Paul's expressive nature during the trial, noting moments of laughter and controlled reactions. Paul explains the reasons behind these moments:
"We laughed because was probably not true. That would be quickly and all the time she apologized and everything." ([07:44])
Media vs. Reality: Addressing discrepancies between media portrayals and her actual experience, Paul clarifies:
"We are very happy group of people, you know, fulfilling our duty and that's it." ([06:52])
She refutes reports suggesting jury discord, emphasizing the professionalism maintained throughout the trial.
Receiving the Verdict: The tension peaks when the verdict is announced. Paul shares her emotional turmoil:
"When I heard that people screaming out of happiness... I closed my eyes and I started crying." ([12:11])
Witnessing the jubilation of Karen Read's supporters juxtaposed with the grief of John O'Keefe's family deeply affected her.
Aftermath Reflections: Post-verdict, Paul grapples with the unresolved questions surrounding Officer O'Keefe's death:
"We all believe Joan was a great man and we all want justice to be served to him too." ([31:13])
She expresses frustration over the lack of closure for the O'Keefe family and advocates for continued investigation.
Prosecution's Case: Paul critiques the prosecution's narrative and evidence:
"They want to convince us that she backed up her car fast enough to clip him till she cut his arm and threw him away." ([17:46])
She found the eyewitness testimony and expert witnesses, particularly Dr. Welcher, unconvincing and lacking credibility.
Defense's Strategy: Conversely, Paul commends the defense for effectively presenting their case:
"Dr. La Posada for me was very good... Also Officer Dever was scary to say the least." ([20:47])
She appreciated the clarity and thoroughness with which the defense addressed technical aspects of the case.
Prosecution vs. Defense Lawyers: Paul shares her opinions on the effectiveness of various attorneys:
"Robert Alessi... is my favorite lawyer because I think the way he talks like such a gentleman." ([25:48])
She praised Alessi for his respectful demeanor and ability to simplify complex information, contrasting this with criticisms of the prosecution's approach.
Expert Witnesses: Regarding expert testimonies, Paul notes:
"I think he didn't do a good job. That's it." ([18:48])
Her skepticism extends to the prosecution's forensic experts, whom she felt were inadequately prepared.
Advocacy for Justice: Paul passionately advocates for ongoing efforts to achieve justice for John O'Keefe:
"Let's continue fight for justice for John o' Keefe... We need to get away of fake news, get away of no sense social media." ([28:33])
She underscores the importance of combating corruption and ensuring that the judicial system serves its true purpose.
Call to Action: Emphasizing community involvement, Paul urges:
"Look for real journalists, real news, real information and fight and continue fighting... for a better society." ([30:57])
Her plea is for informed civic engagement and responsible media consumption to foster a just and safe community.
On Jury Professionalism:
"We are very happy group of people, you know, fulfilling our duty and that's it." — Paul ([06:52])
On Emotional Impact:
"When I heard that people screaming out of happiness... I closed my eyes and I started crying." — Paul ([12:11])
On Legal Advocacy:
"Let's continue fight for justice for John o' Keefe... We need to get away of fake news, get away of no sense social media." — Paul ([28:33])
Juror Paul's reflections offer a profound glimpse into the human and procedural facets of the Karen Read murder trial. Her unwavering belief in Karen Read's innocence, combined with her critique of the prosecution's approach and call for deeper justice for John O'Keefe, presents listeners with a nuanced understanding of the case's complexities. This episode underscores the critical role jurors play in the justice system and the lasting emotional and ethical implications of high-stakes legal battles.