Karen Read’s second trial over the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe is nearing its conclusion, with closing arguments scheduled for Friday. The jury will now begin deliberations, which could determine the fate of Read, 45, who is accused of causing the death of the 46-year-old officer during a blizzard on January 29, 2022.
The prosecution, led by special prosecutor Hank Brennan, has relied on key evidence, including the presence of Read’s taillight fragments in O’Keefe’s clothing. Brennan’s case was taken over from the first trial after a mistrial was declared last year. Assistant District Attorneys Adam Lally and Laura McLaughlin are handling the case, with Brennan’s reputation as a former Whitey Bulger defense lawyer drawing criticism from Read’s supporters.
Forensic experts such as Dr. Aizik Wolf and Dr. Judson Welcher have testified that O’Keefe’s injuries are consistent with a fall on frozen ground, suggesting that Read’s vehicle may have hit him, causing him to stumble and hit his head. The timing of Jennifer McCabe’s Google search for ‘how long to die in cold’ has also been cited as supporting the prosecution’s argument about the circumstances of O’Keefe’s death.
Read’s defense, however, has challenged the prosecution’s case. Lawmakers David Yannetti, Robert Alessi, and Alan Jackson have argued that the evidence does not support the claim of a collision and instead suggest that O’Keefe may have been attacked by a dog or another individual at the party. They have also highlighted the flaws in the police investigation, including the mishandling of evidence and lack of proper procedures in collecting and preserving evidence. Additionally, the defense has questioned the scientific accuracy of the prosecution’s evidence, with experts like Dr. Daniel Wolfe and Dr. Andrew Rentschler disputing the findings of the biomechanist Dr. Welcher.
The legal team has also drawn attention to the case of former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, who lost his job for sharing confidential information on an R-rated text chain that included lewd remarks about the defendant. The defense experts have also argued that O’Keefe’s injuries, particularly the fractured skull, were caused by impact with a surface other than the frozen ground, and questioned the conclusions about hypothermia based on the autopsy.
With these conflicting testimonies and the final stages of the trial reaching its climax, the jury will now have to weigh the evidence before delivering their verdict. If found guilty, Read faces up to life in prison for the top charge, with a potential sentence of 5 to 20 years for the drunken driving manslaughter charge.