{{Short description|2022 death in Canton, Massachusetts, US}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = John O'Keefe | image = | caption = | birth_name = John J. O'Keefe III | birth_date = {{birth date|1975|12|08}} | birth_place = Braintree, Massachusetts, U.S.{{r|obit}} | death_date = {{death date and age|2022|01|29|1975|12|08}} | death_place = Canton, Massachusetts, U.S. | death_cause = Blunt force trauma to the head | alma_mater = Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts Lowell | occupation = Police officer | employer = Boston Police Department | partner = Karen A. Read (2020–2022) }}
On January 29, 2022, at 6:03 am, '''John O'Keefe''', an officer of the Boston Police Department, was found unconscious on the front lawn of fellow Boston police officer Brian Albert in Canton, Massachusetts, United States. O'Keefe's girlfriend, financial analyst Karen Read, had dropped him off at a party at the Albert household shortly after midnight and returned early that morning to find his body after he failed to return home. O'Keefe was declared dead at 7:59 am at a local hospital. An autopsy performed two days later found that he had died of impact injuries to the head, although his manner of death was undetermined.
Read was subsequently arrested and charged with manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision causing death. Prosecutors alleged that she had killed O'Keefe by backing into him with her car after dropping him off. Read's defense team alleged that O'Keefe was murdered inside the Albert household, and that police officers involved in the case used their resources to taint the investigation and frame Read. Following a grand jury indictment, Read's charges were upgraded to second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of personal injury and death.
Read's first criminal trial resulted in a mistrial on July 1, 2024, due to a hung jury. She was tried for a second time beginning on April 1, 2025, and ultimately found not guilty on all three major charges. She was found guilty of operating a vehicle under the influence, receiving the standard sentence of one year of probation.
The case drew national attention due to local journalist Aidan Kearney's investigation of evidence of foul play in the death of O'Keefe. His multi-part series, "Canton Cover-Up," exposes the close relationships between law enforcement and those who were present at the Albert household on the night of O'Keefe's death.
== Background == John J. O'Keefe III, nicknamed "J.J."<ref name="obit">{{Cite web |title=John J., III, 'JJ' O'Keefe |url=https://www.cartwrightfuneral.com/obituaries/John-J-III-JJ-Okeefe?obId=29113887 |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Cartwright Funeral Home |department=Obituary, services}}</ref> or "Johnny"<ref>{{Cite news |date= 2024-06-28 |title=Boston officer John O'Keefe was called a 'patron saint' by the girlfriend accused of killing him |url= https://apnews.com/article/karen-read-boston-murder-trial-8dfa34c4be6aeabe649373ea006e9f10 |access-date= 2024-08-12 |work=AP News | publisher = Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kerrigan |first=Tara |date=2024-04-12 |title= Remembering the Real Victim in the Karen Read Case, My Friend John O'Keefe |url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2024/04/12/john-okeefe-karen-read-case/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |magazine=Boston Magazine |volume= 62 |issue=4 |page=[https://connect.metrocorpmedia.com/files/html/flipbooks/bs2405/bs2405.html#p=62 60]}}</ref> (born December 8, 1975), was raised in Braintree, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. He graduated from Braintree High School and later Northeastern University, going on to earn a master's degree in criminal justice from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 4, 2022 |title=Funeral Planned For Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, Found Dead Outside Canton Home |work= CBS News; WBZ News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/boston-police-officer-john-okeefe-funeral-wake-karen-read/ |location= Braintree, Massachusetts, US}}</ref> Following the untimely deaths of his sister and brother-in-law in 2013 and 2014 respectively, O'Keefe took guardianship of his niece and nephew, with whom he resided in Canton, Massachusetts.<ref name="Abraham BG"/> O'Keefe was a sixteen-year veteran of the Boston Police Department (BPD).<ref>{{Cite news|date= 2022-02-07 |title=Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe Laid to Rest Monday |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=NBC10 Boston News |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/boston-police-officer-john-okeefe-to-be-laid-to-rest-monday/2636582/|language=en-US}}</ref>
Karen A. Read (born February 26, 1980) grew up in Taunton, Massachusetts, and Blacksburg, Virginia.<ref>{{Cite news |date= 2024-06-28 |title=Karen Read, a 'convenient outsider' accused of killing her Boston police boyfriend |url=https://apnews.com/article/karen-read-boston-murder-trial-okeefe-2ee31aa52ba3d76a5eb831f297ac7527 |access-date= 2025-06-05 |work= AP News | publisher= Associated Press |language= en}}</ref> She graduated from Coyle & Cassidy, a private Catholic school in Taunton, and attended Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she obtained both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in finance.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 February 2022 |title= Mansfield woman freed on $50,000 cash bail in death of police officer boyfriend |url=https://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/mansfield-woman-freed-on-50-000-cash-bail-in-death-of-police-officer-boyfriend/article_cf0c3852-4cb5-5172-a6c7-5359942bb96d.html|work=The Sun Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Faculty profiles: Karen Read, Lecturer, Finance |url=https://faculty.bentley.edu/profile/kread |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616205142/https://faculty.bentley.edu/profile/kread |archive-date=2022-06-16 |access-date= 27 February 2024 |website= Bentley University}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cotter |first1=Sean |date=April 14, 2024 |title=Who is Karen Read? A look at the woman at the center of a media firestorm. |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/04/13/metro/who-is-karen-read/ |work=The Boston Globe}}</ref> Until her arrest in February 2022, Read had been a financial analyst at Fidelity Investments since 2007 and was an adjunct professor at Bentley University.<ref name="Abraham BG"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-02-02 |title=New Details, Timeline Revealed in Boston Police Officer's Death |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=NBC10 Boston News |language=en-US |url= https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/woman-charged-with-manslaughter-in-death-of-bpd-officer-due-in-court-wednesday/2631990/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Did Karen Read Kill Her Boyfriend? Revisiting Her Trial as She Shares Her Side of the Story in ''A Body in the Snow'' |url= https://people.com/karen-read-john-okeefe-case-and-trial-11696138 |magazine=People |language=en |first=Lynsey |last=Eidell |date=March 19, 2025}}</ref> Read was living in Mansfield, Massachusetts, at the time of O'Keefe's death.<ref name="Abraham BG"/>
O'Keefe and Read met in 2004 and dated briefly.<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Tréa Lavery |author2=Charlie McKenna |date=2024-06-25 |title=What happened in the Karen Read case? A timeline of events |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/06/what-happened-in-the-karen-read-case-a-timeline-of-events.html |access-date=2025-06-05 |work=MassLive|language=en}}</ref> They rekindled their relationship in 2020 after connecting over Facebook during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="Abraham BG">{{Cite news |last=Abraham |first=Yvonne |date=June 8, 2024 |title=In the abhorrent Karen Read circus, the forgotten victims |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/06/08/metro/abhorrent-karen-read-circus-forgotten-victims/ |access-date=2024-07-07 |work=The Boston Globe |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Incident== {{OSM Location map | coord = {{coord|42.16|-71.14}} | zoom = 13 | float = {{{float|right}}} | width = 240 | height = 360 | title = Locations of the bars, Brian Albert residence, and O'Keefe residence | shape1=n-circle | shape-color1= {{#ifeq:{{{highlight|}}}|1|black|hard blue}} | shape-outline1=white | mark-size1=16 | mark-coord1 = {{coord|42.17426306933005|-71.15383797359746}} | mark-image1 = | mark-title1 = 34 Fairview Road, Brian Albert residence | mark-coord2 = {{coord|42.154685099036215|-71.14526802030234}} | mark-image2 = | shape-color2= {{#ifeq:{{{highlight|}}}|2|black|hard blue}} | mark-title2 = Waterfall Bar & Grille | mark-coord3 = {{coord|42.15416017396904|-71.14612635990008}} | mark-image3 = | shape-color3= {{#ifeq:{{{highlight|}}}|3|black|hard blue}} | mark-title3 = C.F. McCarthy's | mark-coord4 = {{coord|42.15559954145987|-71.12993841390058}} | mark-image4 = | shape-color4= {{#ifeq:{{{highlight|}}}|4|black|hard blue}} | mark-title4 = 1 Meadows Avenue, O'Keefe residence | caption = | auto-caption = 1 }} On the evening of January 28, 2022, Read met O'Keefe for drinks at C.F. McCarthy's, a local bar in Canton, at approximately 9:00 pm. They moved to an establishment across the street, the Waterfall Bar & Grille, shortly before 11:00 pm. There, the couple met up with a group of acquaintances, including fellow BPD officer Brian Albert and his wife Nicole. As the bar was closing, the group was invited to the Albert household at 34 Fairview Road, where their son was celebrating his 23rd birthday with friends and family. Security footage shows Read and O'Keefe leaving the establishment together at 12:11 am. Other individuals invited to the Albert household from the Waterfall that night included Nicole Albert's sister, Jennifer McCabe, and her husband, Matthew McCabe, as well as Brian Higgins, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Karen Read murder case: A timeline of events |first=Emanuella |last= Grinberg |url=https://www.courttv.com/news/karen-read-murder-case-a-timeline-of-events/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Court TV |language=en-US |orig-date=April 22, 2024 |date=November 25, 2024}}</ref>
Read drove O'Keefe in her Lexus LX 570 to the Albert household, although she was unfamiliar with the neighborhood. Jennifer McCabe called O'Keefe at 12:14 am to give them directions; she and her husband arrived at the house at 12:18 am. Read and O'Keefe pulled up in front of the house approximately six minutes later, with O'Keefe's cell phone activity data showing the closure of a navigation app at 12:24:26 am and his cell phone location data showing the cell phone stopping in front of 34 Fairview Road at 12:24:38 am.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ian Whiffin, Cellebrite Expert, Full Testimony: Karen Read Trial |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF-_a161dss |work=Law&Crime Trials |date=April 30, 2025}}</ref>
According to Read, the couple remained in the car, as Read felt uncomfortable going inside. Between 12:24:59 am and 12:31:56 am, O'Keefe's cell phone activity data recorded no movement. At 12:27:33 am, O'Keefe's cell phone received an iMessage from Jennifer reading, "Here!?" which the phone recorded as read at 12:27:48 am. At 12:29:44 am, the phone logged a seven-second answered phone call from Jennifer. At 12:31:47 am, the cell phone received an iMessage from Jennifer reading, "Pull behind me."<ref>{{cite news |title=Ian Whiffin, Cellebrite Expert, Full Testimony: Karen Read Trial |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF-_a161dss&t=8850s |work=Law&Crime Trials |date=April 30, 2025}}</ref> According to Read, O'Keefe told her he would quickly check inside the house to ensure the couple were welcome.<ref name=":2" /> His cell phone data recorded movement activity it interpreted as thirty-six steps beginning at 12:31:56 am. During this activity, the phone recorded that Jennifer's "Pull behind me" text was read at 12:32:06 am and that O'Keefe's cell phone recorded its final lock at 12:32:09 am. The movement activity the phone interpreted as thirty-six steps concluded at 12:32:16 am.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ian Whiffin, Cellebrite Expert, Full Testimony: Karen Read Trial |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF-_a161dss&t=8987s |work=Law&Crime Trials |date=April 30, 2025}}</ref> No further movement from O'Keefe's phone was recorded until after 6:00 am.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=April 28, 2025 |title=John O'Keefe's Last Phone Interaction Was Just After Midnight: Cellebrite Expert |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-huWKlRCNA |work=Law&Crime Trials}}</ref>
Read stated she watched O'Keefe enter the house. Richard D’Antuono, Ryan Nagel, and Heather Maxon, who arrived at 34 Fairview in D’Antuono's Ford F-150 shortly after Read to pick up Ryan Nagel's sister and partygoer Julie Nagel, all testified that they saw Read sitting in her vehicle alone. Ryan Nagel also testified that he witnessed Read driving safely in the neighborhood.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patkin |first=Abby |date=2025-05-05 |title=6 witnesses took the stand in the Karen Read trial Monday. Here's what happened. |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2025/05/05/karen-read-murder-trial-livestream-video-monday-may-5/ |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Boston.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Brian Albert Sr., Nicole Albert, Brian Albert Jr., Caitlin Albert, Jennifer McCabe, Matthew McCabe, Sarah Levinson and Julie Nagel have testified that they were in the house during that time and did not see O'Keefe.<ref>{{cite news |last=Patkin |first=Abby |date=May 10, 2024 |title='John O'Keefe and Karen Read never entered my house,' witness Brian Albert says |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/05/10/karen-read-murder-trial-livestream-video-friday-may-10/ |work=boston.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=December 18, 2024 |title=Karen Read Trial (Pt 28) – Brian Albert Jr. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4C71tb0yM4&t=881s |work=The Trial Channel}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=December 18, 2024 |title= Karen Read Trial (Pt 29) – Caitlin Albert|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzuCT7_Ldls&t=1071s |work=The Trial Channel}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=May 4, 2025 |title=Jennifer McCabe: “John Never Came Inside the House” |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj0Gho6MJrE |work=Court TV}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=May 16, 2024 |title=Karen Read trial Day 13 – Key witnesses Colin Albert, Matthew McCabe on the stand |url=https://www.youtube.com/live/vQowLUivAqc?si=sm-IYaEd6xPNV42B&t=12507 |work=NBC10 Boston}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Patkin |first=Abby |date=May 5, 2025 |title=6 witnesses took the stand in the Karen Read trial Monday. Here's what happened. |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2025/05/05/karen-read-murder-trial-livestream-video-monday-may-5/ |work=boston.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=December 19, 2024 |title= Karen Read Trial (Pt 32) – Julie Nagel |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shfT7u1ZnEc&t=810s |work=The Trial Channel}}</ref> Read stated she grew impatient when O'Keefe did not come back out of the Albert household and started driving off towards O'Keefe's house at 1 Meadows Avenue.<ref name=":2" /> Around the time she departed 34 Fairview Road, the prosecution argues her Lexus recorded a "Techstream" "trigger" event, the exact cause and timing of which would become points of dispute at her criminal trials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waddick |first1=Karissa |last2=Loria |first2=Michael |title=Karen Read: Expert testifies about SUV's sudden movements in trial over dead cop boyfriend |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/27/karen-read-trial-live-updates-day-21/83876335007/ |work=USA Today |date=May 27, 2025}}</ref><ref name="boston.com">{{cite news |last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |title=The first defense witness took the stand in Karen Read's trial. Here's what happened. |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2025/05/30/karen-read-murder-trial-livestream-video-friday-may-30/ |work=boston.com |date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> Such trigger events can have several causes—including excessive acceleration (possibly over snow or ice), steering or braking—but not collisions per se. However, it is still unclear whether this trigger event occurred during the key cycle in question, or whether it occurred while the vehicle was in police custody.<ref name="boston.com"/>
Between 12:33:35 am and 12:36:40 am, O'Keefe's cell phone recorded seven unanswered calls from Read.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ian Whiffin, Cellebrite Expert, Full Testimony: Karen Read Trial |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF-_a161dss&t=9062s |work=Law&Crime Trials |date=April 30, 2025}}</ref> Read connected to the Wi-Fi at O'Keefe's house at 12:36 am.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/karen-read-case-timeline-canton-massachusetts-officer-death/3672836/|title=What happened in the Karen Read case? Timeline of investigations, trials|first=Mike|last=Pescaro |date=April 13, 2025 |work=NBC10 Boston News }}</ref> After arriving there, she left him a succession of voicemails and iMessages. At 12:37, Read stated in a voicemail, "John, I fucking hate you!" At 12:59 am, she stated, "John I'm here with the fucking kids. Nobody knows where the fuck you are. You fucking pervert." At 1:10 am, she stated, "It's 1 in the morning. I'm with your fucking niece and your nephew. You fucking pervert. You're a fucking pervert!" At 1:17 am, she stated, "John I'm going home. I cannot believe [inaudible]. I need to go home. You are fucking using me right now. You're fucking another girl. [O'Keefe's niece] is sleeping next to me. You're a fucking loser. Fuck yourself!"<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Laughlin |first1=Frank |title='I (expletive) hate you': Voicemails Karen Read left on John O'Keefe's phone played in court |url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/i-expletive-hate-you-messages-karen-read-left-john-okeefes-voicemail-played-court/4XVDECPIFJC7LJCPLW46JTZFJU/ |work=Boston 25 News |date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> Read's last call attempt for several hours was at 1:18 am, before falling asleep next to O'Keefe's niece.
Meanwhile, at 12:40 am, O'Keefe's cell phone received an unread iMessage from Jennifer McCabe—the first iMessage from her since 12:31 am—saying, "Hello." At 12:42 am, it received an unread iMessage from McCabe saying, "Where are u." At 12:45 am, it received another unread iMessage from McCabe saying, "Hello."<ref>{{cite news |title=Ian Whiffin, Cellebrite Expert, Full Testimony: Karen Read Trial |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF-_a161dss&t=9147s |work=Law&Crime Trials |date=April 30, 2025}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
Over the course of the night, O'Keefe's cellphone recorded the following drop in battery temperature:<ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=April 30, 2025 |title=Ian Whiffin, Cellebrite Expert, Full Testimony: Karen Read Trial |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF-_a161dss&t=8012s |work=Law&Crime Trials}}</ref> * 12:37 am: 72 °F * 12:45 am: 66 °F * 12:53 am: 61 °F * 1:07 am: 55 °F * 1:36 am: 50 °F * 6:06 am: 43 °F * 6:35 am: 37 °F
At 4:38 am, Read awoke and resumed trying to call O'Keefe. At 4:53 am she called Jennifer McCabe from the niece's phone, asking her to help look for O'Keefe. At 5:00 am, Read called Kerry Roberts, a friend of O'Keefe's, to join them.<ref name=":2"/> Roberts later testified that Read initially yelled over the phone, "John is dead! Kerry! Kerry!" and hung up and, in a subsequent call, explained to Roberts that she feared John was dead and that he might have gotten hit by a snowplow.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fortin |first1=Matt |last2=Kwangwari |first2=Munashe |title=Karen Read trial: More on 'hos long to die in cold' search, talk of big Aruba trip |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/karen-read-trial-day-16/3376482/ |work=NBC Boston |date=May 22, 2024}}</ref> O'Keefe's niece later testified that she heard Read say on the phone statements to the effect of, "Could I have done something?", "Could he have been hit by a plow?" and, "Maybe I like...hit him."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rex |first1=Kristina |title=John O'Keefe's niece testifies about "tension," arguments between him and Karen Read before his death |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-today-john-okeefe-niece-testimony/ |work=CBS Boston |date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>
At 5:07 am, Read was seen on O'Keefe's home's Ring security camera backing out of his garage in her Lexus. She visibly bumped O'Keefe's parked Chevrolet Traverse; the footage shows O'Keefe's car move slightly as the cars made contact.<ref name=":2"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Fieldman |first=Luis |date=May 30, 2025 |title=Karen Read retrial: Biggest takeaways from week 6 as prosecution rests its case |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/05/karen-read-retrial-biggest-takeaways-from-week-6-as-prosecution-rests-its-case.html |work=MassLive |location=Springfield, Massachusetts |publisher=The Republican |access-date=August 27, 2025}}</ref> At precisely the same time, Jennifer made a call to her sister Nicole Albert{{snd}}the owner of 34 Fairview, where O'Keefe's body was found{{snd}}which lasted thirty-eight seconds. However, Jennifer denied speaking to Nicole that morning.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Benoit |first=Kate |date=2025-05-02 |title=Defense grills Jennifer McCabe over Google search, butt dials at Karen Read murder trial |url=https://turnto10.com/news/karen-read-murder-trial/karen-read-murder-trial-returns-after-break-boston-police-officer-john-okeefe-may-2-2025 |access-date=2025-06-17 |work=WJAR |language=en}}</ref>
At around 6:00 am, Read, McCabe and Roberts arrived at 34 Fairview Road, where Read spotted O'Keefe's body near a flag pole in the front yard.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |title=A timeline of the Karen Read case and the story behind the high-profile Massachusetts murder trial |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-timeline-john-okeefe/ |work=CBS News |date=November 3, 2025}}</ref> At 6:03 am, McCabe called 911 and reported "a man passed out in the snow," saying "I think he's dead."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-30 |title=Jennifer McCabe listens to 911 call during testimony in Karen Read's trial {{!}} Fox News Video |url=https://www.foxnews.com/video/6372110381112 |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> Amid this discovery and subsequent emergency response, at 6:04:01 am, O'Keefe's cell phone health data registered the phone's first movement since 12:32:16 am.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ian Whiffin, Cellebrite Expert, Full Testimony: Karen Read Trial |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF-_a161dss&t=6709s |work=Law&Crime Trials |date=April 30, 2025}}</ref> Jennifer and two paramedics later testified that, at the scene of the response, Read repeatedly stated, "I hit him,"<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deliso |first1=Meredith |title=Paramedic testifies she heard Karen Read say, 'I hit him,' in murder retrial |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/karen-read-murder-retrial-paramedic-testimony/story?id=121479249 |work=ABC News |date=May 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Daniel |first1=Ted |title=First witnesses take the stand in retrial of Karen Read |url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/first-witnesses-take-stand-retrial-karen-read/IDUKZ6UZ4JDGFIFI6MHQSSSD6M/ |work=Boston 25 News and Associated Press |date=April 22, 2025}}</ref> although this was never recorded in any report. Read later insisted in interviews she only asked something to the effect of, "Could I have hit him? Did I hit him?"<ref>{{cite news |title=The Night of the Nor'easter |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=3_70nblllPQUPTwB&t=425&v=YlEgxUBc8NY&feature=youtu.be |work=Dateline |publisher=NBC |date=October 17, 2024}}</ref>
== Investigation == Former Massachusetts State Police (MSP)Trooper Michael D. Proctor, of the Norfolk State Police Detective Unit, was the lead investigator for the case. A twelve-year veteran of the MSP, Proctor was fired on March 19, 2025, due to his actions during the investigation of O'Keefe's death, including having "sent derogatory, defamatory, disparaging, and/or otherwise inappropriate text message about a suspect in that investigation to other individuals" and "provided sensitive and/or potential investigative steps in the investigation to non-law enforcement personnel."<ref name= "mpFired cbs">{{Cite news |first=Matt |last=Schooley |date=March 19, 2025 |title=Michael Proctor fired by Massachusetts State Police for actions in Karen Read investigation |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/michael-proctor-fired-karen-read-massachusetts-state-police/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |work=WBZ-TV {{!}} CBS News Boston |language=en-US |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250319145031/https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/michael-proctor-fired-karen-read-massachusetts-state-police/ |archive-date=March 19, 2025 }}</ref> On October 20, 2025, Proctor dropped his Civil Service Commission appeal to get his job back; a few days later, it was revealed that an extraction of Proctor's iCloud account revealed "highly sensitive information including images of intimate body parts of people not participating in the chat".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patkin |first=Abby |date=2025-10-20 |title=Karen Read investigator Michael Proctor drops appeal to reverse State Police firing |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2025/10/20/karen-read-investigator-michael-proctor-drops-appeal-state-police-firing/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=Boston.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Patkin |first=Abby |date=2025-10-27 |title=‘Highly sensitive’ data found on ex-Trooper Michael Proctor’s phone, prosecutors say |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2025/10/27/highly-sensitive-data-found-on-michael-proctors-phone-prosecutors-say/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=Boston.com |language=en-US}}</ref> On December 18, 2025, Proctor's certification was suspended by the Massachusetts POST Commission, permanently barring him from working in law enforcement in Massachusetts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Patkin |first=Abby |date=2025-12-22 |title=Ex-Trooper Michael Proctor, lead investigator in Karen Read case, suspended by POST Commission |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2025/12/22/ex-trooper-michael-proctor-lead-investigator-in-karen-read-case-suspended-by-post-commission/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=Boston.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Sixteen hours into the investigation, and before O'Keefe's autopsy had been performed, Proctor openly discussed the case in a group text with high school friends. He wrote that they "won't be able to prove" Read had hit O'Keefe with her car, and that "All the powers that be want answers ASAP." He also referred to Read as a "whack job cunt," saying, "She's fucked" and, "Zero chance she skates."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Andone |first1=Dakin |last2=Casarez |first2=Jean |date=2025-06-02 |title=Fired investigator's texts presented to jurors in Karen Read's retrial |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/02/us/karen-read-trial-update |access-date=2025-06-17 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
On February 2, 2022, within hours of Read's arraignment, her attorney, David Yannetti, received an anonymous phone call from a man who stated he had a background in Boston law enforcement. The man alleged that Brian Albert and his nephew, Colin Albert, had beaten O'Keefe to death inside 34 Fairview; afterwards, Brian Albert and an "unnamed 'federal agent'" (now known to be Brian Higgins) dragged O'Keefe's body onto the lawn.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Julie |url= https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/karen-read-trial-interview-part-1 |access-date=2025-06-19 |date=2024-10-29 |title=Karen Read Tells Her Story (Part 1): A Murder Trial in Massachusetts |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}</ref> This anonymous caller was revealed to be Stephen Scanlon, a local private investigator who gave a statement to authorities confirming that he sent the tip to Yannetti.<ref>{{Cite news |date= March 25, 2025 |last=Patkin |first=Abby |title=Karen Read trial witness lists: Who's returning, who's new, and who's missing? |work=Boston.com |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2025/03/26/karen-read-murder-trial-witness-lists/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In April 2023, Read's attorneys presented a theory that implicated Brian and his sister-in-law, Jennifer McCabe, who had been drinking with Read and O'Keefe on January 28, and helped Read find O'Keefe's body the morning of January 29.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Karimi |first=Faith |date=2023-12-10 |title=A snowy night, a cracked taillight and a mystery: How a police officer's death divided a Boston suburb |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/10/us/john-okeefe-boston-police-death-cec/index.html |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=McColgan |first=Flint |date=2023-12-21 |title=Karen Read case-focused blogger Turtleboy indicted on 16 counts |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/12/21/karen-read-case-focused-blogger-turtleboy-indicted-on-16-counts/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=Boston Herald |language=en-US}}</ref> Evidence showed that Brian sold his house and got rid of his dog after the incident, and Read's defense argued that Jennifer performed a Google search for "ho[w] long to die in cold" at 2:27 a.m., though prosecutors argued that was the time the tab used in the search was opened in the browser and not the time the search was actually made.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Winter |first1=Jessica |title=The Irresolvable Tragedy of the Karen Read Case |work=The New Yorker |date=1 July 2024 |url= https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-irresolvable-tragedy-of-the-karen-read-case#:~:text=A%20counter%2Dhypothesis%20emerged%2C%20positing,major%20injuries%20below%20the%20neck%2C }}</ref>
In January 2024, letters between the General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice and Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey, were released, confirming a federal investigation was mounted into Morrissey's office.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Asher |last2=Fortier |first2=Marc |date=2024-01-18 |title=Private communications at heart of latest Karen Read case debates |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/karen-read-court-case-updates-thursday/3251184/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=NBC10 Boston News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fieldman |first=Luis |date=2024-01-18 |title=Norfolk DA denies being told he is target of federal investigation |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/01/norfolk-da-denies-being-told-he-is-target-of-federal-investigation.html |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=MassLive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-23 |title=Letters between feds, Norfolk DA released in Karen Read case |department=25 Investigates |url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/25-investigates-letters-between-feds-norfolk-da-released-karen-read-case/PCBH3ZECNJEEFNNNX4RFYX6PPE/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |work=Boston 25 News |language=en}} ({{limited access}} Access via link restricted outside United States).</ref>
==Legal proceedings== {{Infobox court case | name = Commonwealth v. Read | image = Seal of Massachusetts.svg | imagesize = 125 | italic title = no | full name = Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Karen Read | charge = * Second-degree murder * Manslaughter while operating under the influence * Leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death | verdict = Not guilty on three major charges; guilty of operating under the influence | start date = April 16, 2024 | date decided = {{Start date and age|2025|06|18}} | court = Norfolk County Courthouse | judge = Beverly Cannone | number of judges = 1 | prior actions = Hung jury declared on July 1, 2024, for the first trial; retried on April 1, 2025 | appealed from = | appealed to = * Norfolk County Courthouse * Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court * United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts * U.S. Supreme Court | subsequent actions = | related actions = }}
On February 2, 2022, Read was arraigned in Stoughton District Court on charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and motor vehicle homicide. She pleaded not guilty and was released on $80,000 bail.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sesselman |first=Jamy Pombo |date=2023-09-15 |title=Murder trial date set for Karen Read in death of Officer John O'Keefe |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/karen-read-canton-massachusetts-murder-case-defense-bail-request/45150925 |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=WCVB |language=en}}</ref> In June 2022, a Norfolk County grand jury indicted Read for second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter and leaving the scene of a collision.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=DiGiammerino |first1=Thea |date=2022-06-09 |title=Woman Indicted on Murder Charge in Death of Boston Police Officer Boyfriend |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/woman-indicted-on-murder-charge-in-death-of-boston-police-officer-boyfriend/2743877/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=NBC10 Boston News |language=en-US}}</ref>
===First trial=== On March 12, 2024, Read's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the case due to alleged conflicts of interest and federal crash reconstruction experts determining that O'Keefe's injuries were "inconsistent" with the damage to Read's car.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |title=Karen Read's lawyers tease evidence from federal probe in motions for dismissal, sanctions. What we learned. |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/03/12/livestream-karen-read-lawyers-slated-to-argue-motions-to-dismiss-case-sanction-prosecutors/ |work=Boston.com |date= March 12, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |title=Karen Read defense team says federal expert found John O'Keefe was not hit by SUV |work=CBS News Boston |url= https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-motion-to-dismiss-hearing/|date=13 March 2024}}</ref> The judge denied the motion on March 26 due to "extensive evidence supporting the indictments."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |date=26 March 2024 |title=Judge in Karen Read murder trial denies motion to dismiss, trial set to start April 16 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-murder-trial-motion-to-dismiss-denied/ |work=WBZ-TV {{!}} CBS Boston}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Shelley |date=9 April 2024 |title=Federal Probe of Karen Read Murder Case Highly Unusual, Legal Experts Say |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/04/09/metro/karen-read-federal-investigation/ |access-date=9 April 2024 |work=The Boston Globe}}</ref>
Read's first trial started on April 16, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |title=Karen Read's high-profile Massachusetts murder trial underway with jury selection |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-murder-trial-jury-selection/?intcid=CNR-01-0623 |work= CBS News Boston |date=16 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bienick |first1=David |title=Jury selected for Karen Read trial; Work remains before testimony can begin |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/karen-read-canton-murder-trial-john-okeefe-jury-selection-april-24/60589224 |work=WCVB |date=24 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Prosecutors previously asked the judge to block Read's lawyers from arguing that others are to blame for O'Keefe's death, also known as third-party culprit defense. The judge instead offered the defense a chance to develop their argument through "relevant, competent, admissible evidence," but still barred them from using the third-party culprit defense during opening statements.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |date=2024-04-16 |title=Karen Read's trial gets underway with jury selection |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/04/16/karen-read-trial-jury-selection-starts/ |work=Boston.com}}</ref> On April 28, the prosecutors and the defense presented opening statements.
The prosecution was led by Adam Lally and Laura McLaughlin. Read was represented by criminal defense attorneys David R. Yannetti, Alan Jackson and Elizabeth Little. Jackson and Little are partners at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, a Los Angeles law firm.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patkin |first=Abby |title=Who is on Karen Read's defense team? |date=August 1, 2023 |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2023/08/01/who-is-on-karen-read-defense-team-alan-jackson-david-yannetti/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=Boston.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
The prosecution argued that Read intentionally ran O'Keefe over with her Lexus after a night of heavy drinking on January 29, 2022. They represented that pieces of Read's broken taillight were found at the scene,<ref name="nbc whack">{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Asher |last2=Glavin |first2=Kirsten |title='Whack job' and more: What Michael Proctor texted about Karen Read |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/karen-read-trial-michael-proctor-texts/3395222 |work=NBC Boston |date=10 June 2024}}</ref> suggesting her vehicle was involved in the incident. A hair consistent with O'Keefe's{{refn|group=nb|Only mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the hair could be obtained for analysis. This matched O'Keefe's, but mtDNA is not specific to one individual: It is shared by all those from the same matriline – that is, any relatives who share maternal-line ancestors.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Syndercombe Court |first1=Denise |title=Mitochondrial DNA in forensic use |journal=Emerging Topics in Life Sciences |date=24 September 2021 |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=415–426 |doi=10.1042/ETLS20210204|pmc=8457767 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lavery |first1=Tréa |last2=Fieldman |first2=Luis |title=Karen Read live updates: John O'Keefe's DNA was found on Read's taillight |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/06/karen-read-live-updates-testimony-to-resume-with-state-police-detective.html |work=MassLive |date=13 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref>}} was found on Read's car,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fieldman |first1=Luis |last2=Lavery |first2=Tréa |title=Karen Read trial live updates: Hair was found on rear bumper of Read's SUV |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/06/karen-read-trial-live-updates-testimony-resumes-monday.html |work=MassLive |date=3 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> which the prosecution maintained indicated contact from an impact by her car on O'Keefe. Accounts of arguments between the couple were heard from several witnesses, including testimony of an argument during their trip to Aruba in December 2021, which the prosecution put forward as evidence of a troubled relationship.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |title='You're going to get a DUI,' Kerry Roberts says she warned Read before search |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/05/22/karen-read-murder-trial-livestream-video-wednesday-may-22-jen-mccabe/#laura-marietta-sullivan |work=Boston.com |date=May 22, 2024}}</ref> Read's angry texts and voicemails on the night of January 29 were introduced into evidence as support for this.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |title=Trooper reads some of the final messages between Karen Read, John O'Keefe |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/06/17/karen-read-murder-trial-livestream-video-monday-june-17/ |work=Boston.com |date=June 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name="nbc whack"/><ref name="Michael Proctor, lead investigator">{{cite news |last1=Fortier |first1=Marc |last2=Klein |first2=Asher |last3=DiGiammerino |first3=Thea |last4=Palumbo |first4=Alysha |title=Michael Proctor, lead investigator in Karen Read case, takes the stand |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/karen-read-trial-day-21/3394575/ |work=NBC10 Boston News |date=10 June 2024}}</ref> The prosecution argued Read's behavior on the morning O'Keefe's body was found did not match that of someone unaware of the incident.<ref>{{cite news |title=Watch: Full closing arguments from defense, prosecution in Karen Read murder trial |url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/watch-full-closing-arguments-defense-prosecution-karen-read-murder-trial/5VXI67SKP5HITABAJB4UWE5DZM/ |work=Boston 25 News |date=26 June 2024 |language=en}} ({{limited access}} Access via link restricted outside United States).</ref>
The defense argued that Read was being framed as part of a law enforcement coverup to protect the real perpetrators, suggesting that O'Keefe was beaten inside the Albert household and then left outside to die in the snow, and that the close relationships between Trooper Michael Proctor and the Albert family created a conflict of interest and compromised the investigation. Proctor admitted to not initially disclosing his personal relationship with certain witnesses in the case.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bienick |first1=David |title='We've lost 2 years': Trooper Proctor's wife, sister open up about Karen Read case |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/trooper-proctor-wife-interview-karen-read/64210640 |access-date=10 June 2025 |work=WCVB |date=17 March 2025}}</ref> The defense also showed to the jury the lack of integrity in the investigation, such as the use of Solo cups and Stop & Shop grocery bags during evidence collection<ref>{{cite news |last1=Breslin |first1=Ryan |title=Karen Read trial: Items police used at scene of John O'Keefe's death in Canton shown in court |url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/karen-read-trial-items-police-used-scene-john-okeefes-death-canton-shown-court/L7ZEE2HGAVEU5NKMINUYB6KJWQ/ |work=Boston 25 News |date=7 May 2024 |language=en}} ({{limited access}} Access via link restricted outside United States).</ref><ref name="NBC Boston">{{cite news |last1=Fortier |first1=Marc |last2=Klein |first2=Asher |last3=Kwangwari |first3=Munashe |last4=Vega |first4=Anthony |title=Testimony in Karen Read trial continues, defense accuses witness of perjury |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/karen-read-trial-day-5/3360359/ |work=NBC10 Boston News |date=6 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fieldman |first1=Luis |title=Jurors in Karen Read trial shown blood samples in Solo cups, paper bag |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/05/jurors-in-karen-read-trial-shown-blood-samples-in-solo-cups-paper-bag.html |work=MassLive |date=6 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> and inappropriate text messages about Read between Proctor and personal acquaintances, including Proctor's assessment of Read's attractiveness and his hope that she would "kill herself."<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Asma-Sadeque |first1=Samira |title=Disgraced Lead Investigator Terminated Over Vulgar, Offensive Texts About Karen Read |date=19 March 2025 |url=https://people.com/karen-read-investigator-john-okeefe-terminated-texts-11700131 |magazine=People |access-date=10 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="nbc whack"/><ref name="Michael Proctor, lead investigator"/> The defense showed Read's taillight intact after midnight on January 29,<ref>{{cite news |first1= Kelly |last1=Sullivan |first2=Frank |last2=O'Laughlin |others= Boston 25 News Staff |date=4 May 2023 |title = Defense: Wounds suffered by BPD officer on night of death were from dog, not fight with girlfriend |url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/prosecution-defense-release-new-details-case-woman-charged-death-boston-officer/ABB6PIOUVRFUFO4D5JTBDR3AGM/ |work=Boston 25 News |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417185931/https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/prosecution-defense-release-new-details-case-woman-charged-death-boston-officer/ABB6PIOUVRFUFO4D5JTBDR3AGM/ |archive-date=17 April 2025}} ({{limited access}} Access via link restricted outside United States).</ref> in contrast to the evidence of a shattered taillight, accusing the investigators of planting evidence,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |last2=Riley |first2=Neal |title=Expert in Karen Read murder trial testifies that John O'Keefe's DNA was on taillight |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-live-stream-today-day-24/ |work= CBS News Boston |date=14 June 2024}}</ref> and also pointed to the mirrored sallyport video of Read's SUV at the Canton Police Department. The defense argued that the injuries on O'Keefe's body were not consistent with a car collision, which was confirmed by a number of experts, including two accident reconstruction experts obtained by the FBI and the medical examiner employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |title=The last 3 witnesses in the Karen Read trial took the stand Monday |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/06/24/karen-read-murder-trial-livestream-video-monday-june-23/ |date=June 24, 2024 |work=Boston.com}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb|The two accident reconstruction experts work for ARCCA, an engineering consulting firm. It was not retained by the defense or prosecution, but by the Department of Justice and FBI as part of a federal investigation into Massachusetts state law enforcement's handling of this case.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bienick |first1=David |title=Karen Read mistrial: Judge gave jury several chances to reach verdict |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/karen-read-trial-live-updates-jury-deliberations-july-1-2024/61463493 |work=WCVB |date=1 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref>}}
The Commonwealth rested their case on June 21, 2024, after eight weeks of testimony from sixty-eight witnesses. The defense completed its list of witnesses and rested their case on June 24.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |last2=Rex |first2=Kristina |title=Karen Read's defense team rests their case in her murder trial |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-murder-trial-live-stream-today-day-29/ |work=CBS News Boston |date=25 June 2024}}</ref> Closing arguments were delivered on June 25 and jury deliberation started the same day.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |last2=Rex |first2=Kristina |title=Karen Read murder trial jury begins deliberations after attorneys present vastly different closing arguments |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/watch-karen-read-murder-trial-closing-arguments-live-stream/ |work=CBS News Boston |date=25 June 2024}}</ref> On July 1, after twenty-five hours of deliberation, the jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision, citing "fundamental differences" in their beliefs;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Asher |last2=Fortier |first2=Marc |last3=Palumbo |first3=Alysha |last4=Curran |first4=Kathy |title=Mistrial declared in Karen Read trial, prosecution intends to re-try |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/karen-read-verdict-updates-4/3414899/ |work=NBC10 Boston News |date=1 July 2024}}</ref> Cannone declared a mistrial.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Mistrial Declared in Karen Read Case After Jury Can't Reach a Verdict in Murder Trial |url=https://people.com/mistrial-declared-karen-read-case-jury-cant-reach-verdict-murder-trial-8636057 |magazine=People |first1=Sean |last1= Neumann |first2=Liam |last2=Quinn |date=July 1, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
Read's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss two of the charges, second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident, saying that several jurors reached out after the mistrial and indicated that the jury found Read not guilty on both of these charges.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Asher |last2=Kath |first2=Ryan |last3=Fortier |first3=Marc |title=After mistrial, Karen Read moves to dismiss 2 charges, including murder |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/karen-read-motion-dismiss-murder/3420465/ |work=NBC Boston News |date=8 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |title=Karen Read's attorneys seek to dismiss 2 charges, reveal how jury may have voted in trial |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-murder-trial-result-alan-jackson/ |work=CBS News Boston |date=8 July 2024}}</ref> Martin G. Weinberg, a new attorney for the defense, argued for dismissal of the charges.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Klein |first=Asher |last2=Rosenfield |first2=Michael |date=2024-07-16 |title=Karen Read's lawyers keep up push for 2 charges to be dismissed |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/karen-read-defense-filing-motion-dismiss/3428784/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |work=NBC10 Boston News |language=en-US}}</ref> On August 23, Cannone denied the motion to dismiss the charges.<ref>{{Cite news|URL=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-declines-dismiss-murder-case-karen-read-july-mistrial-rcna167942|title=Judge declines to dismiss murder case against Karen Read after July mistrial|work=NBC News|date=August 23, 2024|access-date=August 23, 2024}}</ref> Read's attorneys filed an appeal to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and also requested that the federal court drop two of the charges.<ref>{{cite news |title=Karen Read's legal team files appeal with SJC to overturn Judge Cannone's decision on murder charge |url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/karen-reads-legal-team-files-appeal-with-sjc-overturn-judge-cannones-decision-murder-charge/PURNJ2DBUNE5PBYT5A2G2UZY6Q/ |work=Boston 25 News |date=11 September 2024 |language=en}} ({{limited access}} Access via link restricted outside United States).</ref> Both requests were denied.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trufant |first1=Jessica |title=Massachusetts' SJC rules Karen Read can be retried for 2nd-degree murder. What it said |url=https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/courts/2025/02/11/karen-read-trial-john-okeefe-murder-appeal-decision-massachusetts-supreme-judical-court-ruling/77050669007/ |work=The Patriot Ledger}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Federal judge denies Karen Read's request to drop 2 charges, question jurors |work=CBS News Boston |date=13 March 2025 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/federal-court-denies-karen-read-request-drop-charges/}}</ref>
===Second trial=== Read's second trial began on April 1, 2025, with special deputy district attorney Hank Brennan, recognized for defending Whitey Bulger, leading the prosecution.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morse |first1=Hannah |title=Karen Read retrial: Prosecution wants testimony on 'hos long to die in cold' barred |url=https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2025/01/02/karen-read-how-hos-long-to-die-in-the-cold-google-search/77403742007/ |access-date=June 17, 2025 |newspaper=The Patriot Ledger |publisher=Gannett |date=January 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250618031553/https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2025/01/02/karen-read-how-hos-long-to-die-in-the-cold-google-search/77403742007/ |archive-date=June 18, 2025 |oclc= 22448062 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> New York-based attorney Robert Alessi and Victoria Brophey George were added to Read's defense team.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |title=Karen Read case: These are the key players to know |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2025/04/02/karen-read-case-key-players-retrial/ |work =Boston.com |access-date=June 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250618030713/https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2025/04/02/karen-read-case-key-players-retrial/ |archive-date=June 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On the first day of trial, Read filed an emergency request to the U.S. Supreme Court to delay proceedings and dismiss two charges on double jeopardy grounds; both requests were denied.<ref>{{cite web |author1=<!-- not stated --> |title=Karen Read v. Norfolk Country Superior Court: On Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24-1048/354548/20250401151332095_No.%2024-__%20Cert%20Petition_Final.pdf |publisher=SupremeCourt.gov}}</ref> She faced three major charges: second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stanton |first=Kate |date=18 June 2025 |title=Karen Read found not guilty of second-degree murder, guilty of OUI in officer's death |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/18/karen-read-trial-verdict-what-happens-next/84241424007/ |access-date=19 June 2025 |work=USA Today}}</ref> The prosecution presented evidence related to Read's blood alcohol level, digital activity timelines and forensic analysis of damage to her vehicle. Testimony included expert opinions on the alignment of injuries to O'Keefe with the alleged reverse impact from Read's Lexus. The prosecution rested its case on May 29, 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |title=Prosecution rests in Karen Read trial after 23 days of testimony |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-prosecution-rests/ |access-date=June 17, 2025 |work=WBZ-TV |publisher=CBS News |date=May 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250618030219/https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-prosecution-rests/ |archive-date=June 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Whittle |first1=Patrick |last2=Casey |first2=Michael |title=Prosecution rests in trial of Karen Read who's charged in death of Boston police officer boyfriend |url=https://apnews.com/article/karen-read-trial-prosecution-court-massachusetts-039f241cbfca054a3ea012d16191a813 |access-date=June 17, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |date=May 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250618031932/https://apnews.com/article/karen-read-trial-prosecution-court-massachusetts-039f241cbfca054a3ea012d16191a813 |archive-date=June 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The defense opened with testimony challenging the cause of O'Keefe's injuries, suggesting alternative explanations including a potential dog bite. Disputes arose over late-stage questioning about DNA evidence, prompting a mistrial motion from the defense, which was denied. Additional defense testimony addressed the condition of Read's taillight and whether it had been altered after the incident.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waddick |first1=Karissa |title=Karen Read trial day 26 recap: Judge denies defense's motion for mistrial |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/03/karen-read-trial-day-26-live-updates/84007428007/ |access-date=June 13, 2025 |newspaper=USA Today |publisher=Gannett |date=June 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250613204749/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/03/karen-read-trial-day-26-live-updates/84007428007/ |archive-date=June 13, 2025 |issn=0734-7456 |oclc=8799626 |url-status=live}}</ref> On June 11, 2025, the defense rested its case.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andone |first1=Dakin |last2=Casarez |first2=Jean |title=Karen Read's defense rests its case in her retrial for the death of her police officer boyfriend |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/11/us/karen-read-trial-defense-rests-case |access-date=June 13, 2024 |work=CNN |publisher=Warner Bros. Discovery |date=June 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250611223707/https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/11/us/karen-read-trial-defense-rests-case |archive-date=June 11, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Jury deliberations began two days later.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Jenna |title=Jury in Karen Read Trial Begins Deliberations |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/us/karen-read-trial-jury-deliberations.html |access-date=June 13, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250613211927/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/us/karen-read-trial-jury-deliberations.html |archive-date=June 13, 2025 |issn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Whittle |first1=Patrick |last2=Casey |first2=Michael |title=Jury begins deliberating whether Karen Read is guilty of murder in Boston police boyfriend's death |url=https://apnews.com/article/karen-read-boston-murder-trial-police-closings-e82b1fd3ebb13c32095f30f66224b2a7 |access-date=June 13, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |date=June 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250613212324/https://apnews.com/article/karen-read-boston-murder-trial-police-closings-e82b1fd3ebb13c32095f30f66224b2a7 |archive-date=June 13, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On June 18, Read was found not guilty on the three major charges; the jury did find her guilty of the lesser charge of operating under the influence (OUI).<ref>{{cite news |author1=<!-- not identified --> |title=Jury acquits Karen Read on all major charges in John O'Keefe's death, finds her guilty of OUI. |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/18/metro/karen-read-retrial-live-updates/ |access-date=June 18, 2025 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=June 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250618190751/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/18/metro/karen-read-retrial-live-updates/ |archive-date=June 18, 2025 |issn=0743-1791 |oclc=66652431 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Treisman |first1=Rachel |title=Karen Read's second murder trial ends with an acquittal |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/06/18/nx-s1-5435406/karen-read-acquitted-trial-verdict-not-guilty |access-date=June 18, 2025 | work=NPR News| publisher=NPR |date=June 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250618194610/https://www.npr.org/2025/06/18/nx-s1-5435406/karen-read-acquitted-trial-verdict-not-guilty |archive-date=June 18, 2025 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Andone |first1=Dakin |last2=Casarez |first2=Jean |last3=Boxer |first3=Sarah |title=Karen Read acquitted in killing of police officer boyfriend John O'Keefe; guilty of drunk driving |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/18/us/karen-read-trial-verdict-reached |access-date=June 18, 2025 |work=CNN |publisher=Warner Bros. Discovery |date=June 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250618222308/https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/18/us/karen-read-trial-verdict-reached |archive-date=June 18, 2025 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bajaj |first1=Yash Nitish |title=Karen Read verdict: What is OUI and will Read go to jail on only charge she is convicted of? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/karen-read-verdict-what-is-oui-and-will-read-go-to-jail-on-only-charge-she-is-convicted-of-101750274452905.html |access-date=June 19, 2025 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |publisher=HT Media |date=June 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250619152331/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/karen-read-verdict-what-is-oui-and-will-read-go-to-jail-on-only-charge-she-is-convicted-of-101750274452905.html |archive-date=June 19, 2025 |issn=0972-0243 |oclc=231696742 |url-status=live}}</ref> For this, she received a year's probation, which required Read's participation on the Commonwealth's 24(d){{Efn|The 24(d) program is also known as the Massachusetts Impaired Driving Program (MID).<ref name="Mass.gov 1">{{cite web |title=Massachusetts Licensed and Court-Approved Impaired Driving Programs |url=https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-licensed-and-court-approved-impaired-driving-programs |publisher=Government of Massachusetts |access-date=August 29, 2025 |location=United States}}</ref>}} program; in addition to probation, she is to receive outpatient treatment and suspension of her driver’s license—the standard for a first-time offense.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McColgan |first1=Flint |title=Not Guilty! Jury clears Karen Read of murder, leaves only OUI conviction |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/06/18/karen-read-found-not-guilty-on-murder-manslaughter-guilty-on-oui/ |access-date=June 19, 2025 |newspaper=Boston Herald |publisher=Digital First Media |date=June 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250619152742/https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/06/18/karen-read-found-not-guilty-on-murder-manslaughter-guilty-on-oui/ |archive-date=June 19, 2025 |issn=0738-5854 |oclc=643304073 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hammond |first1=Elise |title=Karen Read faces a civil lawsuit after being acquitted of murder. What's next |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/21/us/karen-read-civil-suit |access-date=August 29, 2025 |agency=CNN |publisher=Warner Bros. Discovery |date=June 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250621133430/https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/21/us/karen-read-civil-suit |archive-date=June 21, 2025 |location=United States |quote=As a condition of the driver alcohol education program, Read's driver's license will also be suspended for up to 90 days, according to Massachusetts law. |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Civil lawsuit == On August 23, 2024, the O'Keefe family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Read and two bars in Canton, accusing Read of hitting and killing O'Keefe and the bars of overserving her.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Toole |first1=Mike |last2=Rex |first2=Kristina |title=John O'Keefe's family files wrongful death lawsuit against Karen Read, Canton bars |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-wrongful-death-lawsuit-canton-bars/ |work= CBS News Boston |date=26 August 2024}}</ref> The judge in the civil case, William White, ordered a stay of proceedings until the criminal case was resolved to protect Read's Fifth Amendment rights.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blandino |first1=Peter |title=Karen Read gets partial win in wrongful death case. What a judge ruled |url=https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2024/11/01/karen-read-john-okeefe-judge-partial-stay-wrongful-death-case-5th-amendment-second-degree-murder/75992541007/ |work=The Patriot Ledger}}</ref> Read is represented by three lawyers from the Boston law firm Melick & Porter, LLP for the civil case.<ref>{{cite news |title=Karen Read has new lawyers for wrongful death lawsuit filed by O'Keefe family |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/09/16/karen-read-has-new-lawyers-for-wrongful-death-lawsuit-filed-by-okeefe-family/ |work=Boston Herald |date=16 September 2024}}</ref>
== Impact == ===Impact on the community=== Local journalist Aidan Kearney covered the case extensively on his website under the headline "Canton Cover-up" after the defense released their affidavit in April 2023. The case had received little media attention until Kearney began covering the case; he went to Canton, filmed himself confronting witnesses and posted the videos onto YouTube.<ref name="Abraham BG"/><ref name=":4"/> Kearney was indicted on eight counts of witness intimidation, three counts of conspiracy to intimidate witnesses and five counts of picketing a witness in December 2023. In February 2024, he was also indicted on two new charges of harassing a witness and intercepting wire or oral communication. Kearney pleaded not guilty.<ref>{{cite news |title=How is 'Turtleboy' involved in the Karen Read trial? |work= CBS News Boston {{!}} WBZ-News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-aidan-kearney-turtleboy-canton-massachusetts/ |date=24 May 2024}}</ref>
The O'Keefe case caused divisions in Canton as residents debated whether O'Keefe was killed by Read, or whether Read was framed by police. Social tensions and family feuds have reportedly been inflamed by the case. Following Kearney's coverage, a "rolling rally" of around fifty cars in support of the coverup theory drove through Canton in July 2023, stopping at the homes of key figures relating to the case and protesting via bullhorn.<ref name="Abraham BG"/> During the first trial, several Canton residents who supported Read spoke at Canton select board meetings, confronting Chris Albert and calling for accountability; three of them said their lawns were later vandalized with bleach balloons.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Logan |first1=Erin |title=Canton police investigate as bleach-filled balloons damage lawns of Karen Read supporters |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/canton-karen-read-case/canton-police-investigate-as-bleach-filled-balloons-damage-lawns-of-karen-read-supporters/3433199/ |work=NBC10 Boston News |date=20 July 2024}}</ref>
Near the end of the first trial, Kearney was dining with his girlfriend at C.F. McCarthy's, one of the bars O'Keefe and Read went to, and got into a confrontation outside with several people, one of whom was close to the Albert and Proctor families. Two people were later charged with the assault and battery of Kearney.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DiGiammerino |first1=Thea |last2=Glavin |first2=Kirsten |title=Two charged with assaulting blogger 'Turtleboy' in confrontation outside Canton bar |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/aidan-kearney-turtleboy-assault-canton/3408208/ |work=NBC Boston |date=24 June 2024}}</ref> Shortly after the first trial, Kearney found a dead turtle hanging outside his parents' home in Worcester, and local police investigated the incident as harassment and animal cruelty.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 July 2024 |last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |title=Dead turtle left outside home of Turtleboy blogger's parents |work=Boston.com |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/07/02/dead-turtle-left-outside-home-of-turtleboy-bloggers-parents/ }}</ref>
===Recall election and independent audit=== In August 2023, a citizen ballot initiative was proposed to add recall elections to the Massachusetts Constitution in response to Morrissey's perceived corruption in the case.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Christian M. |last=Wade |date=2023-08-28 |title=Proposal would allow recall of governor, other elected officials |url=https://www.eagletribune.com/news/proposal-would-allow-recall-of-governor-other-elected-officials/article_e7e1e6ca-435b-11ee-a1cd-e3c6178c6971.html |access-date=2024-04-07 |work=Eagle-Tribune |language=en}}</ref> In November, Canton held a special town meeting where residents voted in favor (903–800) of an independent audit of Canton police due to the ongoing investigation.<ref name=":3"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-21 |title=Canton votes to audit police department amid Karen Read investigation |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-case-canton-police-department-vote/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=CBS Boston |language=en-US}}</ref> The audit concluded in 2025 ahead of the second trial, and found that first responding officers did not photograph O'Keefe's body at the location where it was found before he was moved to the ambulance; interviews of critical witnesses were not conducted on the day after O'Keefe was transported to the hospital; witness interviews were not recorded; MSP and Canton police did not maintain a police presence at the Albert household pending the secondary search conducted by MSP crime scene units; and Canton police did not turn over video footage of Read's Lexus as it was impounded to lead investigators.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fortier |first1=Marc |last2=Kath |first2=Ryan |title=Canton police audit released: Full 200-page report, analysis and reaction |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/canton-police-department-audit-released-read-the-full-report/3673278/ |work=NBC10 Boston News |date=1 April 2025}}</ref> Following the conclusion of the trial, an independent survey found that only 4% of registered voters in Canton supported Morrissey.<ref>{{Cite web |last=cmckenna@masslive.com |first=Charlie McKenna {{!}} |date=2025-06-20 |title=Poll finds widespread support for Karen Read among eligible jurors |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/06/poll-finds-widespread-support-for-karen-read-among-eligible-jurors.html |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=masslive |language=en}}</ref>
===Protests outside courthouse=== In early April 2024, ahead of the first trial, prosecutors filed a motion requesting a buffer zone to keep protesters back at least {{convert|500|ft|m}} from the courthouse; Cannone later ordered a {{convert|200|ft|m|adj=on}} buffer zone after the ACLU filed a memorandum opposing the prosecution's request, citing freedom of speech, and urged the court to consider more narrowly tailored restrictions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |title=Karen Read trial protesters will have 'buffer zone' outside courthouse |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-buffer-zone-ruling/ |work= CBS News Boston |date=4 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Linton |first1=David |title=ACLU wants a say on proposed demonstration buffer zone for murder trial of Mansfield's Karen Read |url=https://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/aclu-wants-a-say-on-proposed-demonstration-buffer-zone-for-murder-trial-of-mansfields-karen/article_c5f02968-8038-5ee6-bfd1-936d41a5e7b3.html |work=The Sun Chronicle |date=3 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Ahead of the second trial, Read's supporters filed a federal lawsuit against Cannone on the grounds of free speech; a federal judge ruled the buffer zone does not violate protesters' First Amendment free speech rights.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rex |first1=Kristina |title=Free Karen Read supporters file federal lawsuit to fight 'buffer zone' for second trial |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/free-karen-read-supporters-federal-lawsuit-buffer-zone-second-trial/ |work= CBS News Boston |date=2 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Karen Read trial buffer zone for protesters does not violate First Amendment, federal judge says |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-trial-buffer-zone-federal-judge/ |work=CBS News Boston |date=14 April 2025}}</ref>
During the first trial, Cannone approved the prosecution's request to prohibit anyone inside the courtroom from wearing any attire related to the case, and also prohibit law enforcement officers, whether they be testifying or attending the trial, from wearing their uniforms.<ref>{{cite news |title=Karen Read supporters accuse prosecution of going on 'unchecked bender' |last= Silver |first=Lauren |url=https://www.courttv.com/news/karen-read-supporters-accuse-prosecution-of-going-on-unchecked-bender/ |work=Court TV |orig-date=April 3, 2024 |date=November 25, 2024}}</ref> Protesters gathered outside the courthouse wearing pink on every court day, cheering for Read and taking photos with her and her lawyers.
===Repercussions for witnesses=== After the first trial, Proctor was relieved of duty and formally transferred out of the Norfolk State Police Detective Unit, and was suspended without pay on July 8.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Pescaro |title=Michael Proctor relieved of duty, state police say after Karen Read mistrial |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/canton-karen-read-case/michael-proctor-relieved-of-duty-state-police-say-after-karen-read-mistrial/3416025/ |work=NBC10 Boston News |date=2 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |title=Trooper Michael Proctor, lead investigator in Karen Read case, suspended without pay |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/trooper-michael-proctor-karen-read-massachusetts-state-police/ |work= CBS News Boston |date=8 July 2024}}</ref> In March 2025, he was fired by the MSP,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andersen |first1=Travis |title=State Police fires Trooper Michael Proctor, investigator in Karen Read case |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/19/metro/karen-read-michael-proctor-fired-texts/ |access-date=March 30, 2025 |work=The Boston Globe |date=March 19, 2025 |archive-date=March 21, 2025 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20250321055849/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/19/metro/karen-read-michael-proctor-fired-texts/ |issn=0743-1791 |oclc=66652431}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McColgan |first1=Flint |title=Massachusetts Trooper Michael Proctor fired over Karen Read case actions |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/03/19/massachusetts-trooper-michael-proctor-fired-over-karen-read-case-actions/ |access-date=March 30, 2025 |work=Boston Herald |publisher=Digital First Media |date=March 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250320003643/https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/03/19/massachusetts-trooper-michael-proctor-fired-over-karen-read-case-actions/amp/ |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |issn=0738-5854 |oclc=643304073}}</ref> after a trial board determined that he sent inappropriate text messages about a suspect and provided "sensitive and/or potential investigative steps in the investigation to non-law enforcement personnel." He was also found guilty of unsatisfactory performance and violating policy on alcoholic beverages.<ref name= "mpFired cbs"/> Following the conclusion of the second trial, Proctor filed to have his termination overturned.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McKenna |first1=Charlie |title=Hearing held in Michael Proctor appeal as fired trooper fights for job |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/07/hearing-held-in-michael-proctor-appeal-as-fired-trooper-fights-for-job.html |access-date=October 20, 2025 |publisher=Masslive |date=July 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250709212419/https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/07/hearing-held-in-michael-proctor-appeal-as-fired-trooper-fights-for-job.html?outputType=amp |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |location=United States |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bienick |first1=David |title=Ex-Trooper Proctor appeals termination after Karen Read case |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/procotor-civil-service-hearing-aug-4-2025/65593888 |access-date=October 20, 2025 |agency=ABC News |publisher=WCVB-TV |date=August 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251020194912/https://www.wcvb.com/article/procotor-civil-service-hearing-aug-4-2025/65593888 |archive-date=October 20, 2025 |location=United States |url-status=live}}</ref> That October, he withdrew his appeal after his legal team was informed of content found during his iCloud extraction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andersen |first1=Travis |title=Michael Proctor, State Police investigator fired over Karen Read case, drops appeal to get job back |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/20/metro/michael-proctor-drops-appeal-after-firing/ |access-date=October 20, 2025 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=October 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251020193820/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/20/metro/michael-proctor-drops-appeal-after-firing/ |archive-date=October 20, 2025 |location=United States |issn=0743-1791 |oclc=66652431 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Sergeant Yuri Bukhenik, one of the investigators in the case, was suspended and then transferred to an administrative role within the MSP as a result of his actions in the investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-07 |title=Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik, key investigator in Karen Read case, transferred by Massachusetts State Police - CBS Boston |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/yuri-bukhenik-karen-read-state-police-transferred/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2025, the Massachusetts POST Commission suspended Proctor's certification, barring him from working in law enforcement in the state of Massachusetts.<ref name=":0" />
On July 10, 2024, Canton police placed Det. Kevin Albert on leave based on testimony from the trial.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |title=Karen Read trial: Canton Police Det. Kevin Albert put on leave |url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/07/10/karen-read-trial-canton-police-detective-kevin-albert-put-on-leave/ |work=Boston.com |publisher=The Boston Globe |access-date=March 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250330191610/https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/07/10/karen-read-trial-canton-police-detective-kevin-albert-put-on-leave/ |archive-date=March 30, 2025 |date=July 10, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> That September, it was announced he would face a three-day suspension without pay.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canton police suspend Det. Kevin Albert for 3 days without pay |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/canton-police-suspend-det-kevin-albert-for-3-days-without-pay/3497232/ |access-date=March 30, 2025 |work=NBC10 Boston News |publisher=NBCUniversal |date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250330192123/https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/canton-police-suspend-det-kevin-albert-for-3-days-without-pay/3497232/ |archive-date=March 30, 2025 }}</ref>
On September 15, 2025, Officer Kelly Dever resigned from the Boston Police Department. On the morning of O'Keefe's death, Dever was working dispatch for the Canton Police Department, where she had access to security camera feed from inside the building. In August 2023, she reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation that she saw ATF agent Brian Higgins and former Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz inside the sally port alone with Read's vehicle for a “wildly long time.” She has since recanted this statement, testifying during Read's retrial that this was a "false memory".<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKenna |first=Charlie |date=2025-06-05 |title=Despite ‘tense’ exchange in Karen Read trial, Boston Police officer unlikely to face blowback |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/06/despite-tense-exchange-in-karen-read-trial-boston-police-officer-unlikely-to-face-blowback.html |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=masslive |language=en}}</ref>
On November 3, 2025, Canton Police Department announced that Officer Sean Goode was placed on administrative paid leave after allegations of misconduct related to the investigation of Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor. Goode was a prosecution witness in Read's first trial.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-03 |title=Canton police officer's alleged misconduct stems from Michael Proctor investigation, I-Team sources say - CBS Boston |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/canton-police-sgt-sean-goode-karen-read-trial/ |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Grand juror criminal contempt charge === On July 11, 2025, a Dracut, Massachusetts, woman was charged with one count of criminal contempt by the U.S. District Attorney's Office. The defendant is alleged to have "disclosed sealed information to unauthorized individuals, including the names of various witnesses appearing before a federal grand jury, the substance of witness testimony and other evidence presented to the grand jury."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-15 |title=District of Massachusetts {{!}} Massachusetts Woman Charged With Leaking Grand Jury Information {{!}} United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/massachusetts-woman-charged-leaking-grand-jury-information |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=www.justice.gov |language=en}}</ref> On July 15, the defendant signed a plea agreement which recommended that she be sentenced to "one day, deemed served" at the discretion of a judge. On the same day, ''The Boston Globe'' published an article stating that unnamed sources revealed the defendant was a grand juror in the O'Keefe case. The U.S. Attorney's Office, however, made no such statement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sudborough |first=Susannah |date=2025-07-15 |title=Grand juror in Karen Read case to plead guilty to leaking info from investigation |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/07/grand-juror-in-karen-read-case-to-plead-guilty-to-leaking-info-from-investigation.html |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=masslive |language=en}}</ref>
== In popular media == In July 2024, Netflix announced a three-part documentary on the case.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Richards |first1=Amanda |title=Netflix Announces Doc Series About Death of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe |access-date=22 July 2024 |website=Netflix |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/karen-read-john-okeefe-doc-series-news |date=19 July 2024}}</ref> ''20/20'' released an episode about the case in September 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Karen Read reflects on her trial, details what she says happened the night Boston police officer John O'Keefe was found dead |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/karen-read-reflects-trial-details-happened-night-boston/story?id=113380750 |work= ABC News |first1=Meghan|last1= Mariani |first2=Keturah|last2= Gray |first3=Emily|last3= Whipp |first4=Edward |last4=Lopez |date=September 7, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> ''Dateline NBC'' aired an episode on the case on October 18, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fortier |first=Marc |date=2023-07-24 |title=Karen Read case to be highlighted on upcoming ''Dateline'' episode |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/karen-read-case-to-be-highlighted-on-upcoming-dateline-episode/3096412/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |work=NBC10 Boston News |language=en-US}}</ref> A ten-part narrative podcast series, ''34 Fairview Road'', was released October 17, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=New podcast explores Boston Police officer death in January 2022 |url= https://podcastingtoday.co.uk/new-podcast-explores-boston-police-officer-death-in-january-2022/ |website=PodcastingToday |date=24 September 2024 |language=en-GB |access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref> ''A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read'', a five-part docuseries by Investigation Discovery, aired over three nights, beginning March 17, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=Karen Read Docuseries Set at Investigation Discovery – Watch Trailer |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/karen-read-docuseries-investigation-discovery-trailer-1236275278/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=March 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250312060626/https://deadline.com/2025/02/karen-read-docuseries-investigation-discovery-trailer-1236275278/ |archive-date=March 12, 2025 |date=February 19, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Treisman |first1=Rachel |title=A guide to the Karen Read case, as she returns to court for her second murder trial |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/03/28/nx-s1-5343433/karen-read-second-murder-trial |access-date=March 30, 2025 |work=NPR |date=March 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250328134941/https://www.npr.org/2025/03/28/nx-s1-5343433/karen-read-second-murder-trial |archive-date=March 28, 2025}}</ref> In August of the same year, a limited series developed by Prime Video and Warner Bros. Television Studios was announced.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Elizabeth Banks to Star as Karen Read in Limited Series About Infamous Court Case From Prime Video, David E. Kelley, Brownstone and Justin Noble |url=https://deadline.com/2025/08/elizabeth-banks-karen-read-limited-series-david-e-kelley-1236498327/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=August 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250827214256/https://deadline.com/2025/08/elizabeth-banks-karen-read-limited-series-david-e-kelley-1236498327/ |archive-date=August 27, 2025 |location=United States |date=August 27, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Based on the podcast ''Karen'', David E. Kelley will serve as executive producer alongside Justin Noble, who will also serve as showrunner and writer; Elizabeth Banks will star as Read and will co-executive produce the series.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Shanfeld |first1=Ethan |title=Elizabeth Banks to Play Karen Read in Amazon Limited Series About Murder Trial |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/elizabeth-banks-karen-read-amazon-show-murder-trial-1236499856/ |magazine=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=August 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250827195011/https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/elizabeth-banks-karen-read-amazon-show-murder-trial-1236499856/ |archive-date=August 27, 2025 |location=United States |date=August 27, 2025 |issn=0042-2738 |oclc=60626328 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Manfredi |first1=Lucas |title=Elizabeth Banks to Play Karen Read in Limited Series for Prime Video |url=https://www.thewrap.com/karen-read-trial-limited-series-elizabeth-banks-prime-video/ |access-date=August 27, 2025 |work=TheWrap |date=August 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250827180426/https://www.thewrap.com/karen-read-trial-limited-series-elizabeth-banks-prime-video/ |archive-date=August 27, 2025 |location=United States |url-status=live |url-access=registration}}</ref> A Lifetime television movie, ''Accused: The Karen Read Story'', premiered on January 10, 2026, starring Katie Cassidy as Read.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |title=Watch: Lifetime drops trailer for Karen Read movie |url=https://www.boston.com/news/entertainment/2025/12/22/watch-lifetime-drops-trailer-for-karen-read-movie/ |access-date=February 10, 2026 |publisher=Boston.com |date=December 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251222203929/https://www.boston.com/news/entertainment/2025/12/22/watch-lifetime-drops-trailer-for-karen-read-movie/ |archive-date=December 22, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Connection to other cases== The lawyer for Brian Walshe, the Cohasset man accused of murdering his wife, Ana Walshe, said he would file a motion suggesting Proctor's bias played a role in his client's case.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fortin |first1=Matt |last2=Jones |first2=Glenn |title=Brian Walshe lawyer to file motion naming investigator Proctor after Read trial testimony |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/michael-proctor-brian-walshe-case/3397553/ |work=NBC10 Boston News |date=12 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sager |first1=Monica |title=Cop's conduct questioned in two chilling murder cases: 'She's a babe' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/karen-read-trial-michael-proctor-brian-walshe-massachusetts-1913745 |work=Newsweek |date=17 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
In February 2021, Sandra Birchmore, a 23-year-old woman from Stoughton, Massachusetts, was found dead in her Canton apartment. In both the Birchmore and O'Keefe investigations, federal intervention led to different conclusions than the investigations by local police. Her death was initially ruled a suicide, but these findings by local authorities were contradicted by federal investigators who alleged that foul play was involved. Detective Matthew Farwell of Stoughton police allegedly groomed Birchmore, initiating a sexual relationship with her when she was fifteen years old. Birchmore became pregnant in 2020 and informed Farwell that he was the father, although it was later revealed that he was not.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/06/ex-detective-charged-with-killing-sandra-birchmore-was-not-her-babys-father-report-says.html | title= Ex-detective charged with killing Sandra Birchmore was not her baby's father, report says |date= 13 June 2025 |first=Susannah |last=Sudborough |work=MassLive }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/12/metro/sandra-birchmore-baby-matthew-farwell/ | title=Ex-Stoughton police officer charged with killing Sandra Birchmore did not father the baby she was carrying, DNA shows| work= The Boston Globe |first1= Yvonne |last1=Abraham |first2= Laura |last2= Crimaldi |first3= Gordon |last3=Russell | others=Globe Staff |date=June 12, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |url-access= subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Stoughton police detective indicted in death of Sandra Birchmore |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/ex-stoughton-police-detective-indicted-in-death-of-sandra-birchmore/3472164/ |work=NBC10 Boston |access-date=10 June 2025 |first=Thea |last=DiGiammerino |orig-date=August 28, 2024 |date=September 24, 2024}}</ref> Farwell is accused of strangling Birchmore and staging her death as a suicide.
Read's attorneys have sought police documents related to the Birchmore case and officers involved in both cases, including Norfolk Attorney Michael Morrissey, Canton Police Sgt. Michael Lank, Canton Police Det. Kevin Albert, Massachusetts State Police Det. Lt Brian Tully and Lt. John Fanning.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schooley |first1=Matt |title=Karen Read's attorneys seek unredacted documents from Sandra Birchmore death investigation |date=12 February 2025 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/karen-read-court-filing-sandra-birchmore/ |work=WBZ News {{!}} CBS News Boston }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fortin |first1=Matt |title=Sandra Birchmore case is 2nd Norfolk County death probe that feds intervened in |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/sandra-birchmore-norfolk-da-karen-read/3472300/ |access-date=10 June 2025 |work= NBC10 Boston News|date=August 29, 2024}}</ref>
==References== ===Notes=== {{reflist|group=nb}} {{notelist}}
===Citations=== {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24485280-statementofcase6132022 ''Commonwealth v. Karen Read''], statement of case via DocumentCloud * [https://www.commonwealthvread.com Commonwealth v. Read] – searchable transcript archive of the Karen Read trials.
{{DEFAULTSORT:O'Keefe, John}} Category: 21st-century American trials Category:2022 in Massachusetts Category:2023 controversies in the United States Category:2024 controversies in the United States Category:2025 controversies in the United States Category:Canton, Massachusetts Category:Crimes in Massachusetts Category:Criminal trials that ended in acquittal Category:January 2022 crimes in the United States Category:Murder trials in the United States