Commonwealth v. Read — Trial Archive
Person Justin Rice Trial 1Emergency physician at Good Samaritan Medical Center who treated John O’Keefe on the morning of January 29, 2022, and declared his death at 7:50 a.m. ← All People
🔬 Expert Witness · Good Samaritan Medical Center

Justin Rice

Trial 1
136 lines 3 proceedings
Courtroom still of Justin Rice.

About

Dr. Justin Rice is a board-certified emergency physician at Good Samaritan Medical Center who led the resuscitative efforts when John O'Keefe arrived in cardiac arrest with severe hypothermia on the morning of January 29, 2022. His testimony establishes the clinical details of O'Keefe's condition at the hospital — including a core temperature of 80.1°F, a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3, and a 7mm laceration above the right eye — as well as the time of death. Rice also testified about Karen Read's simultaneous Section 12 admission and her blood alcohol level of 93 mg/dL measured that same morning.

Key Points

  • Rice documented O'Keefe's arrival at 6:47 a.m. in full cardiac arrest with a rectal temperature of 80.1°F — nearly 19 degrees below normal — establishing the severe hypothermia that complicated resuscitation efforts over the next hour before his death was declared at 7:50 a.m.
  • On direct, Rice described the only documented injury on O'Keefe's body: a 7mm laceration on the right superior orbital ridge with surrounding soft tissue swelling and contusion, along with abrasions on the right forearm — a limited injury profile that became central to the defense's cross-examination.
  • On cross-examination, Rice confirmed that his records did not report fractures or broken bones from O'Keefe's neck down and documented the eye laceration and forearm abrasions. He did not agree that this was an exhaustive injury inventory, and on redirect explained that resuscitation priorities limited the examination.
  • Rice initially suggested that EMS may have reported a possible vehicle strike, but after reviewing his own report on the stand, he conceded there was no mention of a vehicle whatsoever in his documentation.
  • During cross-examination, Rice said he was involved in her care but did not recall treating Read, did not collect her blood, and did not know who collected, packaged, or submitted it to the lab.

Trial Record (3)

Trial 1 First Criminal Trial Apr 29, 2024 – Jul 1, 2024 3 proceedings

Day 18

Direct Justin Rice Adam Lally 4 highlights 83 lines spoken
Summary

Dr. Rice described O'Keefe's emergency treatment and recorded death declaration; Read's hospital records were admitted as Exhibit No. 106.

Highlights (4)
Quote

“So he would have been or he was unresponsive and intubated, as in with a breathing tube into his airway via his mouth.”

Dr. Rice described O'Keefe's condition on arrival at the emergency department.

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Quote

“According to my note, it looks like the time of death was, or death declaration was 7:50. 7:50 in the morning.”

Dr. Rice gave the time recorded for O'Keefe's death declaration.

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Quote

“So it looks like 93, 9-3. I'd have to maybe look deeper in the chart to tell you the units of that measurement. I don't want to guess. But, to answer your question, 93.”

Dr. Rice initially reported the charted alcohol-screen result while expressly declining to guess at the units.

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Cross Justin Rice Elizabeth Little 3 highlights 47 lines spoken
Summary

Dr. Rice acknowledged limited recollection of Ms. Read's care and agreed Mr. O'Keefe's report did not mention a vehicle or report a fracture.

Highlights (3)
Key Moment

After reviewing Mr. O'Keefe's report, Dr. Rice agreed it contained no statement that EMS reported he may have been struck by a vehicle and no mention of a vehicle.

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Redirect Justin Rice Adam Lally 3 highlights 6 lines spoken
Summary

Dr. Rice explained the resuscitation-focused charting and read his clinical impression of cardiac arrest, head trauma, and environmental-cold exposure.

Highlights (3)

Locations Touched By This Testimony

Good Samaritan Medical Center 1 proc