Judge Testimony Canceled: Reason Revealed
The Karen Read murder retrial is unexpectedly on hold, as Judge Cannone halts proceedings due to extreme heat, impacting the testimony schedule. Defense witnesses,including a snowplow driver,have already presented their statements,aiming to create reasonable doubt regarding the prosecution’s timeline,a key point in the second-degree murder case. The defense seeks to counter claims that Karen Read fatally struck Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, arguing a potential police conspiracy. News Directory 3 is closely monitoring the case. The defense’s strategy hinges on challenging the prosecution’s narrative, highlighting the events surrounding O’Keefe’s death in January 2022. Discover what’s next as the trial resumes.
Karen read Trial: Heat Forces Recess, Defense Presents Witnesses
Updated June 05, 2025
The Karen Read murder retrial in Norfolk Superior Court will pause Thursday because of anticipated extreme heat. Judge Beverly Cannone announced the unexpected break after the 27th day of testimony.The Karen Read trial centers on the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
Read,45,stands accused of fatally striking O’Keefe with her SUV in Canton on Jan.29, 2022, leaving him in a blizzard outside a house party. She has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a crash.
Wednesday’s session featured testimony from two defense witnesses: Brian “Lucky” Loughran, a Canton snowplow driver, and Karina Kolokithas, who attended the bar with Read and O’keefe the night before his death. The Karen Read defense team is presenting its case.
Loughran testified that he plowed near the Albert home, where O’Keefe’s body was discovered, but saw nothing unusual. This testimony echoes his previous statements in Read’s first trial, which ended in a mistrial. he stated he drove by the home at 2:45 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., noticing nothing suspicious on the lawn.
Kolokithas testified that she was with Read and O’Keefe at the Waterfall Bar and Grill. She recalled Read speaking highly of O’Keefe’s role in caring for his niece and nephew and observed them affectionately embracing.
“It just stood out to me, I was like, ‘wow, that’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen,'” Kolokithas said, describing Read and O’Keefe’s interaction.
Prosecutors argue Read intentionally struck O’Keefe with her vehicle. The defense contends Read is a victim of a police conspiracy and that O’Keefe was beaten by someone else at the party. The Karen Read case continues to draw significant attention.
What’s next
The trial is set to resume Friday with a full day of testimony. The extreme heat is expected to subside, allowing the court to proceed as scheduled with the Karen Read murder retrial.