Karen Read’s Murder Retrial Begins Amid Divided Support

DEDHAM, Mass. — Karen Read, a woman accused of murdering her boyfriend, is set for a retrial starting April 1, following a controversial first trial that saw her garner significant public support.

Read is accused of hitting her boyfriend, Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her car and leaving him to die outside on a winter’s night. The first trial ended in a deadlocked jury, and both the prosecution and defense will present their cases once again.

Supporters of Read gathered outside the Norfolk Superior Court during the initial trial, dressed predominantly in pink, while their opposing faction wore blue to advocate for justice for O’Keefe. A buffer zone was established around the courthouse to limit outside influence on the jury, especially from the loud chants of “Free Karen Read” from her supporters.

Rita Lombardi, a dedicated supporter of Read, attended every day of the trial and described her effort to raise awareness about Read’s case. “I actually ran that whole sidewalk at the courthouse for 12 weeks,” Lombardi said. “I wanted to draw more attention, so I started ordering pink pom-poms from Amazon because people around the world would say, ‘Why did these people have pom-poms at a murder trial?’”

The demonstrations took on a life of their own, with some supporters wearing T-shirts commemorating Read’s father on Father’s Day. Lombardi emphasizes the positivity of the gatherings, aimed at showing love and support for Read amidst the intense legal battle.

She remains steadfast in her belief that Read was framed, despite numerous prosecution witnesses claiming to have heard her admit, “I hit him, I hit him.” The testimony also included evidence of a broken taillight and medical findings that concluded O’Keefe died from head injuries and hypothermia after being allegedly abandoned by Read in frigid conditions.

“My family is broken up. It’s divided and relationships have been destroyed,” lamented Lombardi, as she reflected on the polarizing effect that the case has had on her community. “We wanted her to know we loved and supported her.”

While Lombardi won’t attend the retrial due to the emotional toll of the first trial, she considers her mission accomplished in raising awareness about Read’s case. Read, meanwhile, has been vocal in the media, providing interviews and featuring in a documentary.

O’Keefe’s family and supporters have voiced their distress over the treatment of prosecution witnesses, with special prosecutor Hank Brennan arguing for a larger buffer zone to protect the integrity of the jury process. “The defendant is entitled to a fair trial … but the Commonwealth is entitled too … to a fair trial,” Brennan stated at a recent court hearing.

Defense attorney Cheney Mason, who once represented another high-profile defendant, Casey Anthony, acknowledged that Read’s public support could impact the prosecution’s case. “When you are trying to do so much to influence a jury outside a trial, that backfires,” he said.

During the initial trial, the defense challenged the credibility of lead investigator Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, who faced criticism for his conduct and disparaging remarks about Read. The foreperson of the deadlocked jury indicated a significant divide in opinion regarding the evidence presented, with some believing it met the burden of proof while others did not.

The retrial will shift back to jury selection, ensuring an impartial panel is convened to review the evidence and determine the truth surrounding O’Keefe’s death and Read’s involvement.

If convicted, Read faces life in prison, adding further gravity to the upcoming proceedings in this tense and emotionally charged case.