When the third episode of “A Body in the Snow” gets underway, Karen Read’s defense is in full swing preparing for her forthcoming trial. The third and fourth episodes of the docuseries aired Tuesday night, providing a glimpse into how Read’s defense built its theory that she is being framed for the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe.
The episodes feature glimpses of Read and her lawyers planning their strategy both before her first trial started and then during the trial, aided by clips of witness testimony. Central to the narrative is Read’s denial of hitting O’Keefe with her car, as prosecutors allege. “I have no memory of a 200-pound man hitting my car,” she insists, adding, “There is no part of me that thinks I hit John.” Her recollection of the events surrounding the incident raises eyebrows, especially after she views Ring camera footage from O’Keefe’s home showing her SUV striking his vehicle.
That footage, taken on the morning of January 29, 2022, as Read searched for O’Keefe, leads her legal team to assert that the evidence has been tampered with. They accuse Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor of smashing Read’s taillight and planting pieces of it at the scene.
Defense attorney David Yannetti argues that the broken taillight created “an opportunity they took advantage of.” Alongside him, Alan Jackson harbors suspicions about Proctor's connections to the family residing at the location where O’Keefe’s body was found. “The police culture there [in Canton] is deeply, deeply connected,” Jackson states, suggesting that there may have been collusion in the investigation.
Read herself describes Brian Albert, the homeowner where O’Keefe’s body was found, as the “don.” According to her attorneys, “Albert was in charge of that family, that crew,” with Jackson asserting he possesses the experience to cover up a crime.
Toward the end of the episode, Read’s lawyers present what they believe to be the factual narrative surrounding O’Keefe's death. Jackson claims that O’Keefe exited Read’s car and entered the residence at 34 Fairview Road, where he was “confronted” leading to a physical altercation. “Whoever killed him likely didn’t intend to,” Yannetti explains, downplaying claims of premeditated murder.
However, Brendan Kane, a close friend of O’Keefe’s, strongly disagrees with this account. “Why would you put Johnny’s body on your front lawn?” he questions, indicating that a setting with train tracks behind the Albert property would have served as a more discreet alternative for disposing of a body. In a courtroom scene, he dismisses the framing theory asserting that “nothing points to anyone other than Karen.”
Criticism of Read’s demeanor during the trial is also captured in the docuseries. Tara Kerrigan, an ex-girlfriend of O’Keefe, expresses disgust over what she perceives as Read’s lack of grief over the loss, stating it’s “quite unprofessional the way they all carried on while John’s family has to watch that.” Yet, viewers see that Read’s stoicism could be a calculated decision. “If she’s too stoic, then she’s uncaring,” Jackson suggests, adding, “If she smiles, then she’s not taking it seriously enough.”
Read acknowledges that the situation is challenging for O’Keefe’s family, stating, “I’m sure [they] hate every part of this,” while adding, “I’ve done nothing wrong,” and disclosing her own anxiety regarding her trial. “I like being in control,” she remarks, frustrated with the proceedings. “I want to scream at that judge: is this a game?”
The series finale airing Wednesday night on March 19, 2025, is set to provide further developments in this gripping case.