Karen Read’s Murder Retrial Resumes Amid Controversial Testimony

Dedham, Massachusetts – The retrial of Karen Read, accused of murdering Boston police officer John O'Keefe, resumed Monday. Read, 45, faces charges of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of an incident that resulted in death. The jury is examining evidence from the 2022 incident in which O’Keefe was found dead in the snow.

Prosecutors allege Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV after a night out and left him to die. They claim the two were arguing when the incident occurred outside a friend’s house in Canton. Read’s defense maintains she is a victim of a police conspiracy and insists O’Keefe was injured in a fight inside the house and later dumped outside.

This trial is a retrial after Read’s initial trial ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan opened the trial by presenting evidence, including audio and data from Read’s cellphone, suggesting she had knowledge of O’Keefe’s location and did not seek help.

“The evidence will make clear that she knew he was there. She did not call 911,” Brennan stated during his opening remarks.

The defense argues that evidence will show O’Keefe’s fatal injuries were inconsistent with being hit by a vehicle. They contend he sustained his injuries from a dog attack or a beating inside the home. During testimony, paramedic Timothy Nuttall recalled a frantic Read saying, ‘I hit him,’ further complicating her defense.

Additionally, the prosecution questioned the validity of Read’s claims about the specifics of their argument, suggesting her statements could indicate guilt. The trial is expected to continue with further witness testimonies throughout the week and is being live-streamed by various media outlets.

If convicted, Read faces a sentence of life in prison. Her family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her, which remains paused pending the criminal case.