Karen Read Trial Nears Jury Deliberation in Boston Officer’s Death
Karen Read faces the possibility of life in prison as her second trial over the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe enters its final phase. After 31 days of testimony, closing arguments are set for Friday, after which jurors will begin deliberating.
Read, 45, is accused of hitting O’Keefe with her SUV outside a house party on Jan. 29, 2022, during a snowstorm, then leaving him to die. The defense argues there was no crash and that O’Keefe was attacked by a partygoer—and possibly a dog.
Judge Beverly Cannone denied a second defense motion for a directed verdict Thursday, clearing the way for the case to proceed to the jury.
Prosecution’s Case:
- Plastic taillight fragments found on O’Keefe’s clothing allegedly match Read’s vehicle.
- Experts testified his fatal head injury was consistent with a backward fall on frozen ground after a glancing vehicle strike.
- Cellphone data supports the prosecution’s timeline.
- Multiple witnesses claimed Read repeatedly said, “I hit him.”
- A key Google search—“how long to die in cold”—made by witness Jen McCabe shortly after O’Keefe was found, allegedly bolsters the state’s version of events.
Defense’s Case:
- Argues no crash occurred, citing lack of physical evidence.
- Experts claimed O’Keefe’s arm injuries were from dog bites, not broken taillight shards.
- Contended his head injury was inconsistent with a fall on frozen lawn.
- Disputed hypothermia as cause of death, citing internal injuries from resuscitation attempts.
- Criticized police work, highlighting mishandled evidence and misconduct by lead investigator Michael Proctor, who was later fired.
- Accused the crime lab of introducing holes into O’Keefe’s hoodie post-mortem.
Read declined to testify in her own defense. The jury is expected to begin deliberations following Friday’s closing arguments.
