Trial Begins for Girlfriend Accused of Murdering Boston Police Officer Found in Snowy Yard

After a long period of legal battles, speculations, and claims of hiding the truth, the trial for the death of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe begins today.

O'Keefe was discovered in the snow on January 29, 2022, near the residence of another Boston police officer in Canton, Massachusetts. Karen Read, O'Keefe's girlfriend and former finance professor, has denied the charges of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while under the influence, and fleeing the scene of an accident.

Residents of Canton and nearby suburbs have been discussing two possible scenarios for months: Was O’Keefe beaten inside the officer’s house and then thrown outside to die in the snow? Or did his girlfriend fatally strike him with her black Lexus SUV?

Protesters have accused local officials of trying to cover up the truth to protect the homeowner and have even taken their demands for answers to city council meetings. Some have created private Facebook groups and have been actively participating in blogs to delve into the details of that tragic night, transforming what was initially a local murder case into a sensation that has gained national attention.

Jury selection is beginning this week in Norfolk County, located south of Boston. The high level of publicity surrounding the case is making it challenging to choose a fair and unbiased jury. According to Daniel Medwed, a criminal law professor at Northeastern University, it may be necessary to select jurors who are aware of O'Keefe's killing or have read about it, but have not yet formed an opinion.

Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe.

Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe.

Boston Police Department/AP

Medwed, speaking to CNN, mentioned that a large number of people in Massachusetts are familiar with this case. During jury selection, lawyers ask potential jurors if they can still be fair despite their knowledge. It is possible to find 12 unbiased citizens from the county.

The case has caused a deep divide among the 24,000 residents of the Boston suburb. As the trial commences at the Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts, here are the main highlights to look out for.

The focus of the case is on a critical six-hour period. It centers around the events leading up to the discovery of O'Keefe's body on a winter night. Surveillance cameras recorded footage of him and Read at two Canton bars on January 28, 2022, where they were seen drinking and socializing with friends, including another officer.

Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Read’s SUV and drove to the officer’s home on Fairview Road in Canton for an after-party, court documents show.

The body of police officer John O'Keefe was found near the fire hydrant outside this home on Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts.

The body of police officer John O'Keefe was found near the fire hydrant outside this home on Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts.

Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

Read, 44, explained that she left O’Keefe at the Fairview Road house and went back to his home to rest because she was not feeling well. However, she woke up in the early hours of the morning and became anxious when she discovered he was not there.

Afterward, she contacted two female friends and together they drove around Canton in extremely snowy conditions, searching for O’Keefe and calling out his name, as stated in court records.

Read saw her boyfriend lying in the front yard of their house, covered in snow. Without hesitation, she quickly started performing CPR on him, according to court documents.

Read, along with her legal team led by attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yannetti, strongly believe that she is being set up. Jackson told CNN that he is convinced O'Keefe went into the Fairview Road house that evening and got into a confrontation with someone inside.

Jackson believes that the confrontation turned violent, resulting in him being beaten until he was unconscious. He insists that it was a cover-up, claiming that the victim was killed inside the house and his body was then moved outside.

On the other hand, the prosecution claims that the couple had an argument which escalated to the point where O’Keefe exited the Lexus. Allegedly, Read, who was intoxicated, struck him with her vehicle before fleeing the scene, leaving him to perish in the cold snow.

Read's attorneys have stated in documents and in court that they suspect one of the two female acquaintances, who is the homeowner's sister-in-law, is involved in a cover-up. They believe she is trying to protect the individuals inside the house and falsely implicate Read for the crime.

According to court documents, a forensic examination of the woman's phone uncovered a Google search for the phrase, "Ho(w) long to die in cold," just hours before O'Keefe's body was discovered.

The woman has not been charged with a crime. Her attorney, Kevin Reddington, has told local media that allegations of her involvement in a cover-up are baseless.

Meanwhile, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey has stated that allegations of a network of law enforcement agencies conspiring to frame Read are not believable.

Morrissey emphasized that the individuals involved were not part of a conspiracy and did not commit any crimes that night. He stated that the notion of multiple authorities colluding in a vast conspiracy is unfounded and goes against the evidence, portraying it as a desperate effort to shift blame.

The controversy surrounding the case has caused division within the town.

The case has been filled with legal disputes for several months. Recently, both the defense and prosecution submitted numerous motions regarding the evidence they want to present or exclude from the trial. For instance, the prosecutors aim to reveal specifics from a trip the couple took to Aruba in December 2021, suggesting it highlights tensions in their relationship.

The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has initiated a federal inquiry into Read's arrest and legal proceedings. In February, federal authorities disclosed around 3,000 pages of documents related to their investigation. Much of this information was not made available to the public.

Last month, the Massachusetts State Police started looking into a state trooper connected to the case. They did not provide details on whether the trooper's alleged wrongdoing is linked to the accusations against Read.

Protesters gather outside the courthouse during a recent pretrial hearing for Karen Read at Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts.

Protesters gather outside the courthouse during a recent pretrial hearing for Karen Read at Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts.

David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

The investigation was announced the same week that Read's defense team claimed the trooper had not revealed his full relationship with important witnesses. Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally accused the defense of trying to distract from Read's supposed guilt by focusing on these relationships, as reported by CNN affiliate WFXT.

Lally described the defense's tactics as a three-card Monte trick, similar to a card trick performed on the street corner. He suggested that the defense was trying to divert attention by highlighting various relationships.

In November, Canton residents voted for an independent investigation into the police department after a special town meeting that focused on Read’s case. Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty told CNN that investigators found no evidence of a cover-up in the tragic death of John O’Keefe.

Pretrial hearings have seen protesters wearing “Free Karen Read” sweatshirts and carrying similar messages on placards. In response, Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone established a “buffer zone” around the courthouse to keep protesters away and regulate what they wear.

"No one is allowed to protest within 200 feet of the courthouse complex during the trial of this case. This includes carrying signs or placards. Additionally, individuals are not allowed to wear or display any items related to the trial participants," stated the order.

The decision to establish a buffer zone was made due to instances of protesters yelling at witnesses and approaching family members outside the court, as noted by Cannone.

Cannone wrote that if prospective jurors are exposed to the protests and messages displayed on signs, the defendant's right to a fair trial could be at risk.

Supporters of Read have claimed that the order infringes upon their First Amendment rights.

Editor's P/S:

The trial of Karen Read, accused of murdering Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, has captivated the town of Canton and beyond. The case has been marred by accusations of a cover-up, with Read's defense team alleging that O'Keefe was beaten inside the home of another officer before being left to die in the snow. The prosecution, on the other hand, maintains that Read struck O'Keefe with her vehicle while intoxicated. The trial has exposed deep divisions within the community, with protesters demanding answers and calling for justice.

The high-profile nature of the case has made it challenging to select an impartial jury, and the trial is expected to delve into the events leading up to O'Keefe's death, including surveillance footage and witness testimony. The outcome of the trial will not only determine Read's guilt or innocence but also shed light on the allegations of a cover-up and the role of law enforcement in the case. The trial is a reminder of the complexities of justice, the importance of due process, and the impact of high-profile cases on communities.