Commonwealth v. Read — Trial Archive
Person Renee Stonebridge Trial 1Dr. Renee Stonebridge is a Norfolk County neuropathologist who testified about the acute traumatic brain injuries found during John O’Keefe’s autopsy. ← All People
🔬 Expert Witness · Norfolk County

Renee Stonebridge

Trial 1
53 lines 1 proceeding
Courtroom still of Renee Stonebridge.

About

Dr. Renee Stonebridge is a board-certified neuropathologist affiliated with Norfolk County who examined John O'Keefe's brain following his death on January 29, 2022. She testified in Trial 1 about the neuropathological findings from her examination, identifying multiple acute traumatic injuries including subarachnoid hemorrhage, punctate contusions across the frontal and temporal cortices, intraventricular hemorrhage, and brain stem hemorrhage. Her testimony addressed the nature, severity, and timing of these injuries in relation to O'Keefe's death.

Key Points

  • Stonebridge described finding uncountable punctate contusions spread across the frontal and temporal cortices — a quantity and distribution she characterized as beyond what one could enumerate, conveying the extent of the trauma to O'Keefe's brain.
  • Stonebridge characterized the injuries as acute, testifying that they probably occurred within a minutes-to-hours interval.
  • Stonebridge ruled out natural causes for the subarachnoid hemorrhage, stating she found no evidence of aneurysm or vascular disease that could explain the bleeding — leaving trauma as the only identified mechanism.
  • She identified bilateral uncal herniation and brain stem compression, along with diffuse hemorrhage within the pons, describing injuries consistent with significant force — whether from a fall or being struck by a vehicle.
  • When addressing the link between the brain injuries and the skull fractures, Stonebridge confirmed that the combination required some type of force but declined to specify its nature or magnitude, given the presence of the fractures.

Trial Record (1)

Trial 1 First Criminal Trial Apr 29, 2024 – Jul 1, 2024 1 proceeding

Day 28

Direct Renee Stonebridge Adam Lally 2 highlights 53 lines spoken
Summary

Dr. Stonebridge testified that John O'Keefe's brain injuries were acute and traumatic, while limiting her opinion on the force or mechanism involved; the court then admitted his medical records and warned jurors about graphic photographs.

Highlights (2)
Quote

“I was able to determine that these are acute, traumatic injuries. I know that based on what I observed and in combination with the autopsy findings, that this is due to some type of trauma.”

States the expert's central neuropathology opinion.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶
Quote

“It was something that required some type of force given that there were skull fractures. I can't say what type of force or how much force, but it was definitely something that caused some type of force which led to the skull fractures and then the subsequent brain findings.”

Expressly limits the expert's ability to identify the force or mechanism.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶