Cross Of Accident Reconstruction Expert Dr. Welcher Begins | Case Brief

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Day 22 of the Karen Read Retrial happened on May 28, 2025. After a brief Direct Examination by Special Prosecutor, Hank Brennan, of their Accident Reconstructionist, Dr. Welcher, Cross Examination took up the whole day and will continue on Day 23.

Defense Attorney, Robert Alessi, ross-examination was rigorous and focused on challenging the credibility, methodology, and conclusions of the Commonwealth's expert witness. Dr. Welcher was repeatedly admonished by the court for looking at his computer and searching for information during the cross-examination, rather than answering directly from memory.

Alessi questioned Dr. Welchre about the significant amount his firm, Aperture, was being paid by the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office ($325,000), and the details surrounding the purchase and sale of a Lexus exemplar for testing. The defense sought to highlight potential bias due to financial incentives.

Alessi challenged inconsistencies in Dr. Welchre's testimony, such as the distance the Lexus traveled in reverse during a test (initially said to be 53 feet, then 87 feet), and the explanation of the 8 mph threshold for tail light breakage.

Alessi delved into Dr. Welcher's use of data and images from Trooper Paul's report, questioning the extent to which Dr. Welcher relied on that information in his analysis. There was a dispute about a drone image and other diagrams, leading to a "Voir dire" (examination outside the presence of the jury) to clarify the sources of these materials.

The voir dire aimed to clarify the sources of Dr. Welcher's materials and to determine the extent to which he relied on Trooper Paul's report or other evidence. It highlighted the defense's effort to question the independence of Dr. Welcher's analysis and the Commonwealth's attempt to defend it. The voir dire concluded with plans to continue the cross-examination the following day, with the understanding that time was limited due to a juror's scheduling issue.

RESOURCES
What You Need to Know About the Retrial -    • Karen Read Retrial. What you need to know ...  
Karen Read Retrial Playlist -    • Live Trials with Emily D. Baker  
Karen Read Trial - 2024 -    • Live Trials | Karen Read  - 2024 Mistrial  

THE DOCKET
0:00 Road So Far
2:33 Do you have an opinion?
4:59 A Clearer Opinion
05:34 Time For Cross!
05:42 Welcher meets Alessi
06:32 Aperture was paid
13:02 Administrative Matter?
14:06 Lunch Summary
26:44 The Blue Paint Exercise
29:38 What is the 87ft traveled?
33:46 Welcher thought he replaced the video on the slide
36:59 Voir Dire
53:42 End of Day Summary

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