Who is Karen Read? Biography, Age & Wikipedia

The highly publicized murder trial of Karen Read ended with a mistrial as a Massachusetts jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Prosecutors have announced plans to retry the case in the coming months. But who exactly is Karen Read, and why have her supporters started calling for her release with the slogan “Free Karen Read”?

Who is Karen Read?

Karen Read, a 44-year-old financial analyst from Mansfield, Massachusetts, is facing charges related to the death of her boyfriend, former Boston police officer John O’Keefe.

The incident occurred during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022, when Read allegedly struck O’Keefe with her SUV. She is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Read has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and her defense team argues that she is a victim of a coverup involving law enforcement. Her supporters have rallied behind her, many wearing “Free Karen Read” shirts and holding signs at various court hearings. However, a “buffer zone” was established by the judge to maintain an unbiased environment during the trial.

The Trial and Controversy

Massachusetts blogger Aidan Kearney, known as “Turtleboy” for his website “TB Daily News,” has been a key figure in Read’s defense, helping to organize public support.

Kearney was arrested on multiple charges related to alleged witness intimidation. Prosecutors claim that Read and Kearney spoke nearly 200 times in 2023, accusing her of sharing confidential information about the case. Kearney has denied the allegations.

What Happened to John O’Keefe?

O’Keefe, a Boston police officer, was dating Read at the time of his death. On the night of January 28, 2022, O’Keefe and Read went out with a group of friends in Canton, Massachusetts.

Read claims she dropped O’Keefe off at the home of Boston police officer Brian Albert, and when he didn’t return, she went looking for him. The next morning, Read and two other women found O’Keefe’s body in a snowbank outside Albert’s house.

Prosecutors maintain that an allegedly intoxicated Read struck O’Keefe with her vehicle, while the defense argues that O’Keefe was killed during an altercation inside Albert’s home and that his body was later placed in the snow.

Key Players in the Case

Judge Beverly J. Cannone presided over the trial, and she was asked to recuse herself due to claims of bias by the defense, but she declined the request, stating that the defense’s arguments were not credible.

Read’s legal team is led by attorneys David Yannetti and Alan Jackson, with Jackson also known for representing Kevin Spacey in a previous case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant District Attorneys Adam Lally and Laura McLaughlin. The trial has been marked by accusations of prosecutorial misconduct, which the judge has largely dismissed.

Investigation and Allegations

The lead investigator in the case, Trooper Michael Proctor, is facing internal investigation by the Massachusetts State Police for potential department policy violations.

Despite the ongoing probe, Proctor remains on duty. Read’s defense team has suggested that Proctor may have personal ties to people involved in the case, further complicating the investigation.

Brian Albert, the Boston police officer whose home was where O’Keefe’s body was found, has been implicated in the defense’s argument. The defense suggests that O’Keefe’s injuries could have been caused by a dog owned by Albert, while the prosecution insists that the injuries were consistent with being hit by Read’s SUV.

The Mistrial and Future of the Case

The trial has drawn significant attention, with both sides presenting complex arguments. The jury, however, was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Twice, they indicated that they were deeply divided over the evidence, and after informing the judge that they remained “starkly divided,” the judge declared a mistrial.

Following the mistrial, the defense team revealed that some jurors had privately indicated they had reached a unanimous verdict of not guilty on the second-degree murder charge and the charge of leaving the scene. These jurors said they did not know how to communicate their decision to the judge.

A hearing to discuss dismissal arguments has been scheduled for August 9, 2024, with a new trial set to begin on January 27, 2025. Supporters of Read continue to demand her release, while prosecutors push to bring the case to trial once more.

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