Jurors in Karen Read's second murder trial heard critical testimony on April 29, 2025, regarding the location and temperature data recorded on her boyfriend's cellphone, which may provide insights into the events surrounding his death. Read is accused of hitting Boston police Officer John O’Keefe, 46, with her SUV after dropping him off at a party in January 2022, then leaving him to die in the snow.
The trial, which began on April 22, 2025, is a retrial following a mistrial in the previous year due to a hung jury. As the proceedings unfold in Norfolk Superior Court, key witness Jennifer McCabe is expected to return to the stand on April 30, 2025, to provide further testimony.
Digital forensics specialist Ian Whiffin testified on April 28, 2025, revealing that the location data on O’Keefe’s phone indicated it was near a flagpole on the property from 12:32 a.m. onward, with no recorded activity afterward. Notably, the temperature of the phone's battery dropped significantly from 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) at 12:37 a.m. to 37 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 degrees Celsius) by 6:14 a.m. This data suggests that O'Keefe remained outside during that time.
However, during cross-examination, Whiffin acknowledged that the phone's location could have varied within a broader radius than previously indicated, which could affect the accuracy of the findings. "According to your report, the phone of John O'Keefe could be in the house, correct?" defense attorney Robert Alessi asked. Whiffin confirmed, stating, "Based on the low-accuracy information, yes."
Another point of contention arose regarding an internet search made by McCabe about how long it takes to die in the cold. Whiffin clarified that the search did not occur at 2:27 a.m., as previously alleged by the defense, but later acknowledged that another analysis indicated it may have occurred earlier than he first stated.
McCabe, who was with Read and O'Keefe at a bar prior to the incident, testified about the events that transpired that night. She described the atmosphere at the bar as fun before heading to her sister’s house for a party. McCabe noted that she saw Read's SUV parked outside but did not see either Read or O'Keefe enter the house.
The following morning, McCabe received a call from O'Keefe's niece and later spoke with Read, who was reportedly frantic. "She was hysterical. It was very hard to follow what she was saying," McCabe recounted. During their conversation, Read initially claimed she had left O’Keefe at the bar, but when confronted with the sighting of her SUV, she began to question, "Did I hit him? Could I have hit him?"
After discovering O'Keefe's body in the snow, McCabe recalled Read's reaction, stating, "He looked like him, but just frozen. I think I knew in that moment that John was dead." This emotional moment adds to the complexity of the case, as the defense contends that Read is a victim of a conspiracy involving law enforcement, suggesting that O'Keefe may have been killed by someone else at the party.
On April 28, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Read's appeal regarding double jeopardy, which had argued that her retrial on two charges was unlawful. The court’s decision indicates a lack of significant legal issues concerning the case.
During the trial, jurors visited the crime scene in Canton, where O'Keefe was found outside the home of Brian Albert on January 29, 2022. Prosecutor Hank Brennan urged jurors to consider the scene from various angles, emphasizing that the conditions would have appeared different during the night and amid a snowstorm.
As the trial progresses, the defense has been working to highlight potential inconsistencies in the prosecution's narrative. They argue that injuries on O'Keefe's body could be consistent with a dog attack rather than a vehicle collision, further complicating the prosecution's case.
McCabe's testimony has been pivotal, and her relationship with the O'Keefe family has come under scrutiny. Defense attorney Alan Jackson has suggested that her close ties to law enforcement could influence her testimony and the perceptions of other witnesses.
Despite the challenges, McCabe has maintained her position, stating, "We’re just like normal moms, we’re not used to this," when questioned about her motives and interactions with the prosecution.
The trial continues to draw public interest, with many following the proceedings closely as the intricate details of the case unfold. Karen Read, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death, faces a challenging path ahead as the evidence is presented and scrutinized.
As the seventh day of testimony approaches, the courtroom remains a focal point for those seeking to understand the tragic events that led to O'Keefe's death and the legal battle that has ensued since.
