Karen Read Murder Trial Begins: Girlfriend of Boston Police Officer Accused of Killing Him

The trial of Karen Read, the girlfriend of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, has begun in Norfolk County Superior Court. Read is charged with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of a collision in connection with O'Keefe's death on January 29, 2022. O'Keefe's body was found in the snow outside the home of a fellow Boston police officer in Canton, Massachusetts.

Prosecutors allege that Read struck O'Keefe with her SUV after dropping him off at the house following a night of drinking at bars. They claim Read was intoxicated and fled the scene, leaving O'Keefe to die in the snow. However, Read's defense team argues that she has been framed and that O'Keefe was actually beaten by one or more people inside the house before his body was moved outside.

The case revolves around a six-hour window before O'Keefe's body was discovered. Surveillance footage shows the couple drinking at bars and then driving to the home of O'Keefe's colleague. Read claims she dropped O'Keefe off at the house and later found his body in the snow when she returned to check on him.

Why this matters: The high-profile case has sharply divided the local community and sparked allegations of a cover-up to protect the homeowner, who is also a Boston police officer. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts has launched a federal probe into Read's arrest and prosecution, and the Massachusetts State Police has announced an investigation into a state trooper involved in the case.

During the trial, the judge has allowed Read's attorneys to use a third-party culprit defense. They have presented three alleged third-party culprits who were at the house the night O'Keefe died, including the homeowner, retired Boston Police Officer Brian Albert, and a federal law enforcement agent the defense claims had a romantic interest in Read.

The case has gained notoriety, with local blogger Aidan Kearney, also known as Turtleboy, facing charges for alleged witness intimidation related to his coverage of the case. Kearney has launched fundraisers for Read's legal defense, which has raised over $279,000.

Jury selection for the trial is underway, with the court working to find an impartial jury amid widespread media coverage. The trial is expected to last between six and seven weeks and will feature testimony from dozens of witnesses, including those present at the house the night of O'Keefe's death.

Key Takeaways

• Karen Read, girlfriend of Boston cop John O'Keefe, is on trial for his murder.
• Prosecutors allege Read struck O'Keefe with her SUV after drinking, then fled the scene.
• Read's defense claims O'Keefe was beaten by others at the house before his body was moved.
• The case has sparked allegations of a cover-up to protect a fellow Boston police officer.
• Jury selection is underway for a trial expected to last 6-7 weeks with dozens of witnesses.