BOSTON – In a crucial development for Karen Read, a federal judge has denied her request to delay her state trial, which is set to commence on April 1, 2025. This ruling by Judge Beverly Cannone adds another layer of complexity to what has already been a turbulent legal journey for Read, who faces serious charges in the tragic case involving the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe.
Read, a 45-year-old financial analyst, is accused of fatally striking O'Keefe with her SUV outside a home in Canton during the night of January 29, 2022, then allegedly leaving him to die amidst a snowstorm. She faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a collision.
The denial to postpone the trial was issued on March 20, after Read's attorneys expressed concerns over the logistics of jury selection. They sought to push the trial from its original start date to April 28, arguing that it would be unreasonable to select a jury without clarity on the charges that would be presented.
Following her initial trial in July 2024, which ended in a mistrial due to jury deadlock, Read's legal team filed a notice seeking to have two of the three charges against her dismissed. The defense claims that jurors had reached a unanimous decision to acquit Read on those counts, which include second-degree murder and leaving the scene causing death or injury.
"Read’s trial counsel cannot realistically be expected to select a jury without knowing whether the trial will include all three counts or only Count 2," the petition submitted to the court states. This plea underscores the defense's concerns regarding the ongoing appeal that is currently before the First Circuit Court of Appeals, where they previously sought relief from two of the charges against her.
Judge Cannone's ruling emphasized that jurors have been called to duty on April 1, and if a full jury is not seated by April 25, she could reassess the situation before jurors are sworn in. Daily, approximately 275 individuals have been summoned for jury duty that week, squeezing the timeline even tighter.
As Read prepares to confront the charges once again, the stakes remain exceptionally high. Her attorney, Alan Jackson, points out that the outcome of the pending appeal could significantly shape their trial strategy; violations of double jeopardy rights are at the forefront of their arguments.
On March 25, the court will reconvene, where the prosecution and defense will continue to argue the motions surrounding the trial. Among the matters still outstanding is the prosecution's request to modify the 200-foot buffer zone for supporters and protestors outside the courthouse.
Additionally, the prosecution has moved to redact information regarding O'Keefe’s "undetermined" cause of death from the death certificate, a contentious point that will likely arise as both sides prepare for trial. Moreover, they have expressed intentions to block the defense from utilizing a third-party culprit defense strategy, which alleges that someone else is responsible for O'Keefe's death.
In Read's previous trial, prosecutors called more than 65 witnesses, presenting robust evidence, while the defense struggled with a limited list. Notably, Read did not testify in her own defense during that trial, a strategic decision that could come into play as the new trial begins.
As the clock ticks down to the trial date, the atmosphere surrounding the case is charged with anticipation. Will the federal court's ruling influence the upcoming proceedings? Will Read finally receive clarity on her future, or will she continue to battle the complex interplay of legal challenges? Only time will tell as this high-profile case unfolds.
As a critical participant in this saga, Read's position remains precarious, with the narrative around her evolving continually. She is expected to maintain her not guilty plea on all charges as this matter heads to trial, positioning herself firmly against the serious accusations of negligence and vehicular manslaughter that could irreparably alter her life.
In what is sure to be an intense courtroom battle, Read's legal team will undoubtedly focus on navigating the substantial legal hurdles ahead. With a trial looming, all eyes will be on Norfolk Superior Court as the details of this deeply troubling case are revealed once again.
