Karen Read ‍Trial: prosecution Rests in Boston⁢ Police Officer ⁤Death Case

‍ Updated May 29,2025

Prosecutors concluded their case Thursday in the second trial of Karen⁢ Read,who is accused of second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend,John O’Keefe,a Boston police officer. The prosecution focused on scene‍ evidence and witnesses ⁣who testified read repeatedly ⁤said, “I hit him.”

Read, 45, is charged⁣ with backing her SUV into O’Keefe, 46, in January 2022, leaving him to die in the snow outside a fellow officer’s home after a party. Her defense maintains she was framed‍ as part of a police conspiracy, arguing someone else at the party killed O’Keefe.

A mistrial was declared in the first trial. The retrial has garnered significant media attention, including a Hulu documentary series. read faces charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene.A conviction on the most serious charge could result in a life sentence.

This time, the prosecution, led by Hank Brennan, adopted a more direct approach, avoiding the missteps of the ⁤first trial where numerous witnesses weakened their⁣ case. ⁣Notably,Michael Proctor,the lead investigator who was later fired for sending crude text messages about ⁣Read,did not testify.

Alan Jackson, ⁢Read’s attorney, still raised concerns ‍about Proctor ⁢and ‍Brian Higgins, a federal agent‍ who exchanged flirtatious texts⁢ with Read. Jackson presented⁣ texts where Proctor expressed hatred⁣ for Read’s attorney, David Yannetti.

Prosecutors built their case around evidence⁤ from the scene,including broken taillight pieces from Read’s SUV and a broken cocktail⁢ glass. They presented testimony from first responders who recalled ‍Read saying, “I hit him” after finding O’Keefe.

Clips from Read’s interviews were also played, where she discussed her alcohol consumption and made comments suggesting awareness of her actions. ⁣She mentioned ‍pulling glass from O’Keefe’s nose and speculated, “Could I have clipped him? Could I have tapped⁢ him in the knee and incapacitated him?”

A neurosurgeon testified ⁤that O’Keefe’s injuries were⁤ consistent with a‍ “classic blunt trauma injury” from falling backward and hitting his head.

DNA evidence also played a role.Andre Porto, a forensic scientist, testified that DNA from the broken taillight and cocktail glass matched O’Keefe. Karl Miyasako, an analyst, stated that a hair sample from Read’s vehicle showed a mitochondrial DNA match to O’Keefe or his maternal relatives.

During opening statements in April, Brennan said ⁢Read “admitted⁣ what she did that night” and pointed to a television ⁤interview in which⁤ Read said “could ⁣I have clipped him?” about O’Keefe’s death.

What’s next

The⁣ trial is expected ⁤to continue for several more weeks ⁢as the ‍defense presents its case. Read has indicated the defense will be “more robust” this time, with a list of over 90 potential witnesses.