Defense · Defense team
Elizabeth Little
Trial 1Trial 2
1,029 lines 90 proceedings 2 trials
About
Elizabeth Little represented Karen Read as a defense attorney in both trials. In Trial 1, she cross-examined medical and forensic witnesses and members of the Albert family, using reports, prior statements, and other records in her questions. She conducted the direct examination of defense forensic pathologist Dr. Frank Sheridan, who gave opinions concerning O'Keefe's injuries. In Trial 2, she cross-examined a hospital laboratory witness about accreditation, methodology, and potential interferences.
Key Points
- During her Trial 1 Day 9 cross-examination of Nicole Albert, Little asked whether Albert had mentioned Colin Albert to Trooper Proctor; Albert said she had not. The court sustained an objection to Little's follow-up questions about Sergeant Lank and whether naming Colin would prompt an interview. Little also raised two Jennifer McCabe phone-call entries; Albert acknowledged the entries but denied answering the calls. The defense used the questioning to advance its theory that the family withheld information.
- In a Trial 1 Day 18 recross, Little asked Dr. Nicholas Roberts whether Read had provided the 12:45 AM time used in his calculation. Roberts said Read had not. Little then asked whether the time came from a police report, but that question received no answer before the examination ended.
- During her Trial 1 Day 18 cross-examination of emergency physician Dr. Justin Rice, Little showed him his ER note, which did not mention a vehicle, and asked about injuries and fractures he documented. Rice rejected the characterization that the documentation established the full scope of O'Keefe's injuries or broken bones, explaining that resuscitation priorities limited observations not pertinent to that effort.
- In Trial 1 Day 29, Little cross-examined medical examiner Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello. Scordi-Bello said she was not a reconstruction or biomechanics expert and could not offer a vehicle-related opinion; she also said the cause of the arm scratches was unknown. She described as a possibility that facial injuries could result from a punch, agreed bruising on the backs of hands could be consistent with defensive wounds, and said it was possible for a punch to cause unconsciousness and a backward fall. The court sustained an objection to Little's broader question combining several injuries.
- After the court sustained several foundation objections, Little elicited Dr. Frank Sheridan's opinions that O'Keefe's arm injuries did not look like a vehicle impact and, while he was not 100 percent certain, were consistent with animal marks. Sheridan also testified that the head injury would have rendered O'Keefe immediately unconscious.
Trial Record (90)
Trial 1 First Criminal Trial Apr 29, 2024 – Jul 1, 2024 75 proceedings
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Trial 2 Retrial Apr 22, 2025 – Jun 18, 2025 15 proceedings
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