Frequently Asked Questions about the Karen Read Trial

1. What is the Karen Read trial about and what is its current status?

The Karen Read trial is a high-profile Massachusetts murder case where Karen Read is accused of striking and killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, with her SUV after a night of drinking in January 2022, and leaving him to die. She has pleaded not guilty to charges including second-degree murder and manslaughter while operating under the influence. The first trial, which began in April 2024, ended in a mistrial in July 2024 due to a hung jury. The second trial began with jury selection in April 2025 and is currently in progress, with the defense having recently rested its case.

2. What are the key points of contention and defense theories in the trial?

A central point of contention revolves around the cause of John O'Keefe's injuries and death. The prosecution alleges he was struck by Read's SUV. The defense has presented alternative theories, including the possibility that O'Keefe sustained injuries from a fall in a garage or from a dog, leading to his death from exposure. Key evidence disputed includes a "how long to die in cold" Google search made by Jennifer McCabe, a witness present when O'Keefe's body was found, and the interpretation of forensic evidence, particularly regarding O'Keefe's injuries and the absence of certain fractures. The defense also heavily emphasizes alleged police misconduct and a "vast conspiracy" to re-assign guilt, attempting to show that forensic evidence has been overshadowed by these issues.

3. What role has forensic evidence played in the trial, and have there been any significant new developments regarding it?

Forensic evidence has been a major battleground. The prosecution has presented crash reconstruction experts like Judson Welcher, who testified that O'Keefe was struck by a vehicle. The defense has called its own experts, such as Matthew DiSogra and Andrew Rentschler, who specialize in car data and crash reconstruction, to dispute the prosecution's findings and test theories inconsistent with a vehicle impact. A significant development in the second trial was the revelation of X-rays of John O'Keefe's arm. While prosecution witness Judson Welcher had stated there were no X-rays of O'Keefe's arm, defense expert Dr. Marie Russell and later Dr. Laposata testified that such X-rays existed and showed no fractures or trauma to the bones, which could contradict the prosecution's vehicle impact theory. The defense strategically presented these X-rays late in their case.

4. What controversies have arisen regarding police conduct and witness harassment?

The case has been marked by accusations of police misconduct and harassment of witnesses. Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey publicly condemned "absolutely baseless" harassment of witnesses and described claims of a "vast conspiracy" involving multiple police departments, EMTs, fire personnel, and the medical examiner as "completely contrary to the evidence and a desperate attempt to re-assign guilt." Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik, a lead investigator, forfeited vacation days following an internal affairs investigation related to inappropriate text messages in a group chat with Trooper Michael Proctor. Trooper Michael Proctor also faced a misconduct hearing. Defense lawyers and their supporters have highlighted these issues, with some legal experts suggesting that the alleged police misconduct has "overshadowed" the forensic evidence in the eyes of some jurors.

5. What are the defense's main arguments concerning O'Keefe's injuries and the cause of death?

The defense's primary argument is that O'Keefe's injuries are not consistent with being struck by a vehicle. They have presented expert testimony from Dr. Marie Russell, a dog bite expert, suggesting that some injuries could be from an animal. They also called Dr. Laposata, a former Chief Medical Examiner, who testified there were no broken bones or trauma evident in O'Keefe's X-rays, which she asserted would be expected in a significant vehicle impact. Snowplow driver Brian "Lucky" Loughran testified he did not see a body on Fairview Road, potentially countering the prosecution's timeline. The defense aims to show that O'Keefe's death may have been a tragic accident, possibly from a fall or exposure, rather than a deliberate act by Read.

6. Has Karen Read testified in either of her trials?

No, Karen Read has not testified in her own defense in either her first trial or the current second trial. This was a decision she made publicly outside of court during the second trial.

7. What is the significance of Jennifer McCabe's Google search, and how has it been addressed in court?

Jennifer McCabe, a witness who was with Read when O'Keefe's body was discovered, testified that she searched "hos long to die in the cold" (with a typo) shortly after 6:30 AM. The defense has sought to exclude testimony from their expert, Richard Green, surrounding this Google search, implying its importance to their case or their dispute of its context/timestamp. The timestamp of the search has been a point of contention, with Ian Whiffin from Cellebrite testifying about it. The defense also pointed out that Jen McCabe did not call her sister (who lived at the house where O'Keefe was found) immediately after finding the body, despite the chaotic situation, which the defense suggests is "most telling human behavior."

8. What are the next steps in the trial, and what has been the judicial stance towards the defense's arguments?

With the defense having rested its case, the trial will proceed to rebuttal witnesses, likely including Judson Welcher being recalled, followed by closing arguments. The judge, Beverly J. Cannone, has maintained a stern stance, admonishing the defense team for "repeated misrepresentations" but not removing any lawyers. She has also made rulings regarding the presentation of evidence, such as preferring digital copies of X-rays over physical ones to reduce paper volume, which some observers felt could make evidence "out of sight out of mind." The defense has also made requests for mistrials, which have been denied by the judge and a federal judge. Karen Read has appealed her case to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking a delay in her state trial.

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