Special prosecutor Hank Brennan admits evidence mistake in Karen Read's murder retrial as defense requests mistrial, with legal experts divided on whether the error was intentional

“I don’t believe that’s consistent with the evidence and what occurred,” Rentschler replied. Rentschler was the final defense witness, just as he was during Read’s first trial last summer. After he left the stand, Jackson announced Read’s defense would rest its case subject to a final ruling on evidence.

Karen Read will not take the witness stand in the second trial about the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend as the defense has rested.

After the defense wrapped up its questioning of Rentschler, Prosecutor Hank Brennan told the judge he did not plan to call any more witnesses, reversing an earlier request to recall a different crash expert. The lawyers agreed to begin their closing arguments at 9 a.m. Friday. They'll then hand the case to the jury.

“As it stands now, no competent defense counsel would call Mr. Proctor,” Jack Lu, a retired superior court judge, said in an interview before Read’s defense rested this week. “He has the ability to eviscerate the defense but without him they have a path to victory.”