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3w ago

Karen Read Retrial Begins in Contested Death of Boston Police Officer

Jury selection starts as Read faces second-degree murder charges, with her defense alleging a police cover-up and the prosecution presenting evidence of a fatal hit-and-run.

Overview

  • Karen Read is on trial again for the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, after the first trial ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury.
  • Prosecutors allege that Read struck O'Keefe with her SUV and left him to die in a snowstorm, supported by vehicle data and physical evidence from the scene.
  • The defense claims O'Keefe was killed inside a house party hosted by a fellow officer, then staged outside to frame Read, citing alleged investigative misconduct.
  • Michael Proctor, the former lead investigator fired for sending vulgar texts about Read, is expected to testify again, raising questions about the integrity of the investigation.
  • The retrial features a new lead prosecutor, Hank Brennan, and restrictions on defense arguments about third-party culpability, with jury selection expected to take weeks.