DEDHAM, Mass. — The retrial of Karen Read, accused of murdering her boyfriend John O’Keefe, continued on April 29, 2025, with emotional testimony and technical evidence presented in Norfolk Superior Court. Read is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death following O’Keefe’s death on January 29, 2022.
On the stand Tuesday was Jennifer McCabe, a key witness who was among the last to see O’Keefe alive. She described a frantic phone call from Read at 4:53 a.m., which left her husband startled awake. “Jen! Jen!” Read allegedly screamed, expressing panic that O’Keefe had not come home, and asking, “Could I have hit him? Did I hit him?” McCabe recounted this harrowing moment in detail, stating how Read informed her that she had cracked her taillight.
McCabe, who had spent the previous evening with Read and O’Keefe at the Waterfall Bar, testified that the atmosphere was cheerful. However, the mood shifted dramatically when she received Read’s call. “I was frozen, I was shocked, I couldn’t believe that was him just lying there,” McCabe said, recalling the moment she discovered O’Keefe’s body in the snow near a flagpole outside 34 Fairview Road.
McCabe explained that she and Read had planned to search for O’Keefe after the distressing phone call. As they drove towards the location where O’Keefe was found, McCabe testified that Read began to scream, “There he is! Let me out!” This led to the discovery of O’Keefe’s body, which McCabe described as a moment of disbelief. “I couldn’t believe it was him,” she said, tears in her eyes. “It looked like him but just frozen.”
The testimonies also highlighted the technical aspects of the case. Digital forensics expert Ian Whiffin demonstrated the confusion surrounding a controversial Google search made by McCabe, who allegedly searched “hos long to die in cold.” Whiffin clarified that the timestamp associated with this search had been misinterpreted, asserting that McCabe made the search at about 6:23 a.m., hours after O’Keefe was found. Defense attorney Robert Alessi pointed out that some forensic tools still reflect an earlier timestamp of 2:27 a.m., which the defense claims indicates McCabe’s prior knowledge of the incident.
In a tense courtroom atmosphere, special prosecutor Hank Brennan argued that the defense's handling of evidence was unfair to the prosecution. He expressed frustration over the defense's alleged failure to comply with court orders regarding communication records from crash reconstructionists at ARCCA Inc. Despite this, Judge Beverly Cannone ruled that the ARCCA experts would be allowed to testify, emphasizing the importance of a fair trial.
McCabe’s testimony was met with significant scrutiny from the defense, who suggested that her actions and statements could implicate her in a conspiracy to frame Read. The defense contends that O’Keefe was attacked by others at the party and that Read was wrongfully accused. They argue that the prosecution's case relies heavily on circumstantial evidence, including the alleged vehicle strike.
As the trial progresses, the defense is expected to challenge McCabe’s credibility further. They have suggested that her Google search may indicate a deeper involvement in the events surrounding O’Keefe’s death, rather than simply being a witness. “If scientific evidence doesn’t support a vehicle strike causing O’Keefe’s injuries, then the rest of this is all excess,” remarked Mark Bederow, a criminal defense attorney following the case.
In addition to McCabe's testimony, the defense plans to call their own experts to dispute the prosecution's claims regarding the nature of O’Keefe’s injuries and the events leading to his death. They allege that the injuries sustained could not have been caused by a vehicle, a point that will be crucial in the ongoing trial.
The courtroom drama continues to unfold as jurors weigh the conflicting narratives. With the prosecution asserting that Read deliberately struck O’Keefe in a drunken rage, and the defense painting her as a victim of circumstance, the trial has captured the attention of the public, drawing comparisons to true-crime stories that have become popular in recent years.
As the retrial heads into its next phase, McCabe is expected to return to the stand on April 30, 2025, where further questioning will delve into the events that transpired before and after O’Keefe’s tragic death. The case has not only raised questions about accountability and justice but has also highlighted the complexities involved in legal proceedings where emotions run high and the stakes are even higher.
Read’s legal team remains adamant about her innocence, maintaining that she is a victim of a larger conspiracy involving law enforcement and other party guests. As the trial continues, both sides are preparing for what promises to be a contentious battle over the truth.
