A Norfolk Superior Court jury recently acquitted Karen Read, 45, of serious charges including second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a fatal crash, delivering a verdict that has sparked significant debate.
On September 30, 2023, after a retrial, the jury found her only guilty of misdemeanor operating under the influence (OUI), resulting in a sentence of one year of probation.
The prosecution alleged that Read, under the influence of alcohol, intentionally backed her SUV into John O’Keefe, a Boston police officer, following an evening of bar-hopping.
The incident occurred on January 29, 2022, after Read had dropped O’Keefe off outside the Canton home of a fellow officer.
However, Read’s defense argued that O’Keefe had entered the property and was subsequently fatally beaten, potentially mauled by a German Shepherd before his body was found on the front lawn.
This case marked the second trial for Read; the first ended in a hung jury last summer, prompting the need for a retrial.
Hank Brennan, leading the prosecution team, noted the complexity of the evidence presented, indicating the high stakes involved in the trial.
Jack Lu, a retired Superior Court judge, publicly stated that Brennan’s hourly pay of $250 was below standard for the nature of the case, suggesting it should be closer to $900.
Lu praised Brennan’s understanding of complex technical issues that arose during the trial, reflecting on the expert testimony that was crucial to the case’s outcome.
Just days after the jury’s verdict, Brennan issued a statement condemning intimidation tactics against witnesses, which he claimed undermined the integrity of the judicial system.
He pointed to a campaign of harassment that influenced various participants in the case, warning that such behavior could jeopardize both victims and defendants in future cases.
Brennan’s statement seemed to be directed at Aidan Kearney, a blogger known as “Turtleboy,” who vocally supported Read’s claims of innocence.
Kearney is facing charges for allegedly harassing and intimidating witnesses during the proceedings, with some charges already dropped while others remain pending.
His defense maintains that his actions fall under the protection of the First Amendment as part of reporting and advocacy efforts.
The defense team responded critically to Brennan’s statements.
Alan Jackson, Read’s lead attorney based in Los Angeles, accused the Special Prosecutor of unethical behavior by attempting to publicly undermine the jury’s decision.
He emphasized that the jury had rendered its verdict and that Brennan’s comments were a departure from prosecutorial conduct.
Amid the trial discussions, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox addressed rumors regarding his involvement in the Read case.
When questioned about the testimony provided by Officer Kelly Dever during the retrial, he clarified, “I have nothing to do with Karen Read.”
Cox affirmed that he was unaware of any connection to the case and distanced himself from the alleged influence over testimony.
During her testimony, Officer Dever recounted that she initially provided information that was later proven incorrect regarding the timeline of events surrounding Read’s SUV.
She testified that when the SUV was brought to the police garage for processing, it was after her shift had ended, rendering her earlier claims about observing other officers with the vehicle impossible.
Dever described her initial recollection as a “false memory” that she retracted once presented with evidence.
She also noted that Commissioner Cox had called her into his office for a discussion prior to her testimony.
While Jackson inquired if he advised her to “do the right thing,” Dever stated she could not recall specific language used, though she confirmed that Cox had encouraged her to be truthful.
In response to further questioning about whether he told her to “do the right thing,” Cox reiterated his lack of familiarity with the case.
“I didn’t know she was even associated with that case,” he said, expressing confusion over the focus on his involvement.
Cox asserted that his role as a police chief is to support his officers across the organization and to foster communication.
The ongoing discourse surrounding the Read case highlights the complexities of legal proceedings, including the influence of public opinion and the impact of social media on judicial matters.
As the city continues to process the implications of this case, questions regarding prosecutorial ethics and witness treatment remain at the forefront of discussions around justice.
image source from：bostonglobe
