Who is Jen McCabe? Star witness returns to the stand in Karen Read case

Testimony in the high-profile retrial of Karen Read resumed Wednesday in Massachusetts, with prosecutors questioning Jennifer McCabe, a central witness whose Google search history has become a focal point in the case. Read, 44, is accused of manslaughter and motor vehicle homicide in the January 29, 2022, death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe.

What Happened?

O’Keefe, 46, was found unconscious and severely injured in the snow outside a home at 34 Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts, after a night of drinking with friends. He later died at a hospital. Prosecutors claim Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV during a fight and left him to die in sub-freezing temperatures. Her defense argues she is being framed by law enforcement and others to cover up a fatal altercation involving other individuals at the scene.

Who Is Jennifer McCabe?

McCabe, a Canton resident and friend of both Read and O’Keefe, was with the couple on the night of his death. Key details about her role:

• Host Connection: Her sister, Nicole Albert, is married to Brian Albert, the owner of the Fairview Road home where an after-party was held.

• Night of the Incident: McCabe joined Read and O’Keefe at two bars before the after-party. She later helped Read search for O’Keefe after he went missing.

• Discovery of the Body: McCabe testified Tuesday that she and Read found O’Keefe lying motionless on the lawn at 6 a.m., hours after he was last seen.

The Google Search Dispute

The defense claims McCabe made a suspicious Google search hours before O’Keefe was found:

• Search Details: At 2:27 a.m., McCabe’s phone allegedly searched, “hos long to die in cold” (misspelling “how”).

• Defense Claim: Digital expert Richard Green testified in the first trial that this search suggests McCabe knew O’Keefe was in danger and later conspired to frame Read.

• Prosecution’s Response: They argue the search occurred after O’Keefe was found, around 6:30 a.m. McCabe testified she made the search at Read’s request while at the scene.

Two Competing Theories

1. Prosecution’s Case:

   • Read and O’Keefe argued after leaving a bar.

   • Read allegedly hit him with her SUV and fled, leaving him to freeze.

   • Physical evidence includes broken taillight pieces found near O’Keefe’s body.

2. Defense’s Counterclaim:

   • O’Keefe was beaten inside the Albert home by others, then left outside.

   • Law enforcement and witnesses allegedly tampered with evidence to protect the Alberts’ connections to local police.

   • The defense cites a lack of DNA or blood linking Read’s car to O’Keefe’s injuries.

McCabe’s Testimony

On Tuesday, McCabe described receiving a panicked call from Read at 5 a.m. about O’Keefe’s disappearance. She denied involvement in a cover-up, stating she only searched about hypothermia after finding O’Keefe. The defense, however, highlighted inconsistencies in her timeline and phone records.