Dueling Testimonies Open Karen Read’s Murder Retrial in Massachusetts

Dedham, Massachusetts — The retrial of Karen Read, accused of murdering her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, began Tuesday with dramatic opening statements from both the defense and prosecution.

In his opening statement, defense attorney Alan Jackson asserted, “There was no collision with John O’Keefe. There was no collision. There was no collision,” challenging the prosecution’s claim that Read’s Lexus SUV struck O’Keefe during a nor’easter.

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan painted a different picture. He argued that Read, who was allegedly intoxicated and angry, intentionally accelerated her vehicle and struck O’Keefe, leaving him severely injured on the ground. O’Keefe was found with significant head injuries and hypothermia on January 29, 2022.

After the jury was dismissed for the day, Judge Beverly Cannone held a heated hearing regarding late discovery disclosures, accusing the defense of violating court orders. The judge previously cited a violation of reciprocal discovery obligations by the defense, insisting the legal process be clarified before expert witnesses can testify.

Jackson contended that the delays were caused by the prosecution’s revision of their own expert disclosures. The case may hinge on whether testimony from defense experts can be included.

Timothy Nuttall, a paramedic who attended to O’Keefe at the scene, testified that Read exclaimed, “I hit him. I hit him” multiple times. However, under cross-examination, Jackson questioned Nuttall’s memory compared to his previous testimony, implying inconsistencies.

Kerry Roberts, a friend of O’Keefe, also took the stand, recalling the frantic moments when Read urged to be let out of the car as they searched for O’Keefe.

Roberts explained, “As we approached the house, Karen from the back seat is now screaming, ‘There he is! There he is! Let me the F out of this car.’” She noted the poor visibility, as Roberts could only see O’Keefe once Read exited the vehicle.

Judge Cannone scheduled a voir dire hearing on Friday to address the expert testimonies. This retrial is expected to meander for six to eight weeks, with the case significantly influenced by these evolving testimonies and the actions of both legal teams.

Read faces a potential life sentence if convicted of the second-degree murder charge.