Plow Driver Testimony Bolsters Karen Read’s Defense in Boston Cop Death Case
Karen Read’s defense gains momentum as plow driver Brian Loughran testifies that he did not see a body on the lawn at 34 Fairview Road, the location where prosecutors claim she left her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, to die in the snow. Loughran, who cleared snow on the street in the hours after O’Keefe allegedly stopped moving, stated that despite multiple passes during the early morning hours, he did not observe any body in the snow. His testimony, which contradicts the prosecution’s timeline of events, could weaken the case against Read. Other witnesses, including a friend of O’Keefe and Read, have also contributed to the defense’s strategy, offering alternative narratives that challenge the prosecution’s assertions.
During his testimony, Loughran recounted that he passed by the address multiple times between 2:40 a.m. and 6 a.m., when first responders arrived. He clarified that he had good visibility due to the lights on the plow and his high seat, but he could not see any body in the snow and only noticed a Ford Edge SUV parked outside the address. This observation, though not directly related to the death, has added a layer of complexity to the prosecution’s narrative.
The defense has been building a case that questions the timeline of events and suggests alternative explanations for O’Keefe’s death. Attorney Mark Bederow, representing Aidan Kearney, a blogger who has previously criticized the case, emphasized that Loughran’s testimony is a significant blow to the prosecution, particularly given the existing issues with their evidence. The plow driver’s testimony, combined with evidence from other witnesses, is being presented as a strategy to sow reasonable doubt and challenge the credibility of the state’s case.
Additional evidence has been introduced through testimony from Karina Kolokithas, a friend of O’Keefe and Read who spent nearly an hour with Read the night before the incident. Kolokithas testified that she did not perceive Read to be so intoxicated as to be incapable of driving. She also described an unusual interaction between Read and Jen McCabe, another key witness, where McCabe pulled Read aside and insisted she come with her. This moment, along with surveillance video from the Waterfall Bar and Grille, is being used to suggest that there may have been more to the night than the prosecution is presenting.
Furthermore, the defense has introduced evidence of flirtatious text messages between ATF Agent Brian Higgins and Read, raising questions about the relationships and potential motivations within the group. These messages, combined with descriptions of O’Keefe’s behavior at the bar, including a public display of affection towards Read, are being used to suggest that there may have been underlying tensions or interpersonal dynamics that could have influenced the events leading to O’Keefe’s death.
As the trial continues, the defense is working to construct a narrative that challenges the prosecution’s account and raises questions about the reliability of the evidence. The testimonies of Loughran and Kolokithas, along with the newly introduced evidence about the text messages, are being seen as key components in the defense’s strategy to shift the focus away from Read and toward other potential factors or actors in the case.