Karen Reads defense saved her strongest witness for last, experts tell Fox News Digital, bringing in Dr. Andrew Rentschler to try to debunk the prosecutions claims about how her boyfriend, Boston cop John OKeefe, died.Jurors have the day off Thursday and will begin deliberations after receiving instructions from the judge and listening to closing arguments Friday.Read, 45, is accused of hitting OKeefe, 46, with her 2021 Lexus LX 570 SUV on Jan. 29, 2022, and leaving him to die on the ground with a skull fracture during a blizzard.FINAL DEFENSE WITNESS IN KAREN READ TRIAL PUMPS BRAKES ON LEXUS COLLISION THEORYHer defense denies that her vehicle ever struck OKeefe, and Rentschler spent two days on the stand explaining how he came to the conclusion that OKeefes injuries were inconsistent with a vehicle strike on a pedestrian."I do not believe that injury is consistent with being struck by an SUV at approximately 24 miles an hour," he testified.OKeefe had no broken bones on his right arm, only superficial abrasions, he testified. Based on his testing at ARCCA, a crash reconstruction firm, he said that the arm should have sustained more serious damage.JURY SKEPTICISM OF EXPERTS COULD DETERMINE OUTCOME IN KAREN READ MURDER TRIAL: FORMER JUDGERentschler said he did not believe Read's SUV could have struck O'Keefe based on his injuries and ARCCA testing.But special prosecutor Hank Brennan grilled him on cross-examination, questioning how thorough his testing was and forcing him to concede that he did not take into account shattered pieces of taillight on the ground near O'Keefe and embedded in his clothes.FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X"The prosecutor will definitely zero-in on this in closing," said David Gelman, a Philadelphia-area criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor. "The closings will be key for both parties now. Brennan and [defense attorney Alan] Jackson are both strong personalities, so this is going to be big."Brennan also revealed Wednesday afternoon that he will not call a rebuttal witness to the stand before the case goes to jurors.In what could boil down to a so-called battle of the experts, legal analysts say Rentschler was a solid choice to close out the case.GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB"He methodically explained why the DAs theory of an SUV-pedestrian strike doesn't hold up," said Mark Bederow, the New York City-based attorney representing Read ally and Canton blogger Aidan Kearney. "The lack of arm injuries, the lack of holes in the hoodie, which doesn't come close to corresponding with the amount abrasions, the final location of John OKeefe not making sense."He argued that Rentschler's showing could have prompted Brennan to "wave the white flag" rather than call Dr. Judson Welcher back to the stand for rebuttal.SIGN UP TO GET THE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTERWelcher drew the opposite conclusion from Rentschler testifying that in his opinion, Read's SUV clipped O'Keefe with a glancing blow, knocking him off-balance before he fell and cracked his skull."The defense could not have finished the trial any stronger than they did," Bederow said.Jack Lu, a retired Massachusetts judge and Boston College law professor, said having Rentschler go last was both a standard strategy and a good one."What stood out is that he was steadfast that Dr. Welchers testimony about simulating the contact was fallacious. Counterpoint: so was Rentschlers," Lu told Fox News Digital.He said both are part of a profit-based consulting industry and at points, their testing came across as absurd."You have a disembodied arm hitting a Lexus, versus a grease-painted expert getting hit at low speed by a Lexus," he said.Cannone gave jurors the day off Thursday so the sides can hold a charging conference. The panel returns Friday for jury instructions and closing arguments.

Video shows the moment the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested "a violent rioter" in Los Angeles accused of punching a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shared video of the chaos on X, showing two HSI vehicles blocking a white sedan before officers got out with guns drawn."This was no hit and run," DHS wrote. "This was a targeted arrest of a violent rioter who punched a CBP officer."DHS said HSI tried to arrest Christian Damian Cerno-Camacho for the assault, and he attempted to flee in the vehicle.Cerno-Camacho was arrested and taken into custody, the video shows.ICE RAMPS UP ARRESTS OF CONVICTED CRIMINALS AS RIOTS RAGE IN BLUE CITY: 'YOU WILL NOT STOP US'"Our officers are facing a 413% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murder[er]s, rapists and gang member[s]," DHS said. "[DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noems message to the LA rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."Riots across Los Angeles erupted Friday, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted operations targeting criminal illegal aliens at businesses across the city.CALIFORNIA SHERIFF SAYS NEWSOM ENCOURAGED LA RIOTS AS ICE ARRESTS VIOLENT ILLEGAL ALIENSAbout 45 people were arrested in several locations, including two Home Depot stores, a store in the fashion district and a doughnut shop.Among those arrested was 49-year-old Cuong Chanh Phan, an illegal alien from Vietnam with a criminal history that includes a conviction for second-degree murder.DOZENS OF ANTI-ICE RIOTERS ARRESTED IN LA AS TRUMP SENDS IN NATIONAL GUARD TO QUELL VIOLENCEPhan was convicted of shooting up a high school graduation party after a dispute, killing an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old. Seven others were injured in the shooting, according to DHS.The FBI also announced it was looking for Elpidio Reyna after he allegedly assaulted a federal officer during one of the anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles.Reyna was allegedly captured on video throwing rocks at law enforcement vehicles on Alondra Boulevard in Paramount, California, resulting in an injury to a federal officer and damage to government vehicles.DHS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

Juror issues marred the 21st day of testimony in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial for sex crimes.Before cross-examination continued Wednesday of Diddy's ex-girlfriend, who testified using the pseudonym "Jane," the defense told Judge Arun Subramanian that they'd like to respond to the government's attempt to dismiss a Black juror from the case. The U.S. Attorney's Office allegedly told the court that while the situation was less than desirable, they were compelled to because of a lack of candor.The judge told the court he would rule on the issue if there was any basis for removing a juror and once the defense submitted a letter.New York attorney Nicole Brenecki told Fox News Digital that complications with the jury could lead to severe problems down the road, including a possible mistrial.DIDDY ALLEGEDLY WANTED ONE LAST DRUG-FUELED NIGHT AFTER REHAB PUSH: TESTIMONY"Every time that we engage in a jury trial, there's a process called voir dire, which is a process that both attorneys engage in, under the supervision of a judge, where the attorneys have an opportunity to question the potential jurors and ask them questions to make sure that they are not biased, that they're truthful, and that they are capable of adjudicating this case on its facts and not based on their individual biases or prejudice or whatever," Brenecki said.DIDDY'S ALLEGED SEXUAL DEVIANT BEHAVIOR DOESN'T PROVE GOVERNMENT'S CASE: EXPERT"If there's a letter discussing lack of candor, that means that maybe that juror just wanted to be on the jury because it's a high-profile case or because it involves a celebrity or perhaps for other personal reasons, but the lack of candor has to go to the fact that that juror potentially is biased in one way or another."In court on Tuesday, Diddy's lawyers objected to the U.S. Attorney's Office's request to remove Juror No. 6 from the case."We object to ask Juror No. 6 being stricken, and I understand the colloquy is under seal, so I don't want to explain further on the record now, but if the government is going to put in a letter we'd like the opportunity to be heard either in writing or tomorrow morning," Diddy attorney Alexandra Shapiro said.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSThe judge said "everyone will be fully heard on this issue" once a letter is filed with the court.Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani highlighted the negative effects a tainted jury may have on a case."The big news of the day is that the judge is considering removing Juror 6 for lack of candor.That means he lied, in laymans terms. This request was made by the prosecution, and the defense is trying to keep him on. For what its worth, Juror 6 is a Black male and a '90s hip-hop fan."On Wednesday, Jane continued testimony about "hotel nights," where she claimed one time there were three entertainers at the party, and she allegedly did not take any drugs. She testified that while she agreed to the party, she also resented Diddy "for knowing how much I loved him and knowing how I couldn't say no to him."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERUnder direct examination last week, the government asked Jane if she and Diddy experienced "hotel nights" without drugs. Jane explained that the former couple attempted the nights a handful of times, and it was at Diddy's request in October 2023 that they tried a "sobriety party.""Around this time, I just really wanted my partner to get sober," Jane testified. "I just really cared so much about Sean's health, and I could see that he just, like, was excessively partying on top of just so many pills that he takes daily for I don't know what. And I just really wanted him to get clean and just get better."She continued, "And he said, 'OK, I'm going to do like 30 days without anything, and I'll be sober. But let's just have, like, one more, one more sobriety party, just one, like, sobriety party.'"When asked what drugs Diddy used during the "sobriety party," Jane replied, "I believe ecstasy and cocaine, I don't know." She also alleged the party lasted "too long," claiming it was "close to 12 to 18 hours."Before cross-examination began Tuesday, Subramanian denied Diddy's second request for a mistrial. Diddy's legal team had argued that the prosecution knowingly presented false testimony to the court in a letter filed June 7 and obtained by Fox News Digital.In a federal indictment unsealed on Sept. 17, Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. If found guilty, he faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison.He has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, in which witnesses have testified to alleged rape, sexual assault, severe physical abuse, forced labor and drug trafficking. The trial is expected to wrap by July 4.Jane's cross-examination is expected to finish Thursday morning, and the government indicated they will rest their case by next Friday, but as early as next Wednesday.Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Eight women's college soccer, volleyball and track and field athletes have filed an appeal challenging the House v. NCAA antitrust settlement.U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken approved the settlement last week, clearing the way for direct payments from universities to athletes.The eight women argue female athletes won't receive their fair share of $2.7 billion in back pay for athletes barred from making money off their name, image and likeness (NIL).CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMKacie Breeding of Vanderbilt; Lexi Drumm, Emma Appleman, Emmie Wannemacher, Riley Haas, Savannah Baron and Elizabeth Arnold of the College of Charleston; and Kate Johnson of Virginia lead the appeal. They all previously filed objections to the proposed settlement.Ashlyn Hare, one of the attorneys representing the athletes, said in a statement the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education.COASTAL CAROLINA BASEBALL COACH CALLS OUT FLORIDA'S KEVIN O'SULLIVAN AFTER TOURNAMENT OUTBURST: BULLY"We support a settlement of the case, but not an inaccurate one that violates federal law. The calculation of past damages is based on an error that ignores Title IX and deprives female athletes of $1.1 billion," Hare said. "Paying out the money as proposed would be a massive error that would cause irreparable harm to womens sports."The House settlement figures to financially benefit football and basketball stars at the biggest schools, who are likely to receive a big chunk of the $20.5 million per year that colleges are permitted to share with athletes over the next year. Some athletes in other sports that dont make money for their schools could lose their partial scholarships or see their roster spots cut."This is a football and basketball damages settlement with no real benefit to female athletes," Hare said. "Congress has expressly rejected efforts to exempt revenue-generating sports like football and basketball from Title IXs antidiscrimination mandate. The NCAA agreed with us. Our argument on appeal is the exact same argument the conferences and NCAA made prior to settling the case."The appeal, filed by the law firm Hutchinson Black and Cook of Boulder, Colorado, was first reported by Front Office Sports. It will be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X,and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Wednesday that he had no recollection of his fellow Democratic Party colleagues referring to the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles as "peaceful.""What do Democrats mean when they say the riots in L.A. are peaceful?" Durbin was asked by a reporter outside the Capitol."I never heard them say that," Durbin responded, leading the reporter to ask Durbin whether he condemned the ongoing anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, which some have said amount to riots."I condemn violence, whether it's in the Capitol or in L.A.," Durbin shot back before being ushered away out of earshot.CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO DENY LA RIOT 'CHAOS' FOR 'POLITICAL GAIN,' SHERIFF SAYSThe No. 2 Democrat in the Senate may not have heard any of his fellow party members use the word "peaceful" in their descriptions of the ongoing chaos in Los Angeles, but that doesn't mean they have not."A lot of these peaceful protests are being generated because the President of the United States is sowing chaos," Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said on Sunday's "Meet the Press" on NBC.Just the day before, President Donald Trump called on thousands of National Guard troops to go to Los Angeles to help quell the ongoing chaos, which has included attacks on law enforcement, property damage and looting."The vast majority of protesters and demonstrators are peaceful," Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said on MSNBC. "They're passionate."SEN. CORY BOOKER CALLS LOS ANGELES RIOTS 'PEACEFUL,' SLAMS TRUMP FOR DEPLOYING NATIONAL GUARDRep. Nanette Barragn, a Democrat who represents Californias 44th Congressional District, said on CNN's "State of the Union" program on Sunday that "We are having an administration that's targeting peaceful protests."Conservative critics also fired back after former Vice President Kamala Harris referred to the ongoing chaos as "overwhelmingly peaceful.""The country really dodged a bullet in November," Fox News contributor Guy Bensonposted on X in response to Harris' social media post. In another post, Benson added, "Their official position is that theyre appalled by whats happening in Los Angelesbecause of Trump and ICE, not the violent rioters. In its current form, this party cannot be salvaged."DOZENS OF ANTI-ICE RIOTERS ARRESTED IN LA AS TRUMP SENDS IN NATIONAL GUARD TO QUELL VIOLENCEMeanwhile, former Secretary of StateHillary Clinton got heat for describing the situation in Los Angeles as "peaceful.""California Governor Newsom didn't request the National Guard be deployed to his state following peaceful demonstrations. Trump sent them anyway. It's the first time in 60 years a president has made that choice," Clinton posted on X. "Trump's goal isn't to keep Californians safe. His goal is to cause chaos, because chaos is good for Trump."While there were initially examples of some peaceful protests at the start of this nearly weeklong chaos, by the start of the weekend, property destruction and violence broke out and devolved into a situation that became increasingly violent over the next few days. Several officers were injured during the riot, which included rocks and other projectiles thrown at them, and dozens of people were arrested related to the protests and rioting.Looting has also been an issue, as has property damage, and on Tuesday evening Democrat Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass instituted a citywide curfew.In a rare intraparty dissent, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., criticized his own party this week for failing to adequately condemn the violence in Los Angeles."This is anarchy and true chaos," the Pennsylvania Democrat said in a Monday post on X alongside a picture of cars that had been destroyed by fire. "My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings and assaulting law enforcement.""I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations and immigration," Fetterman added. "But this is not that."