A jury has officially been seated in the highly anticipated Massachusetts murder trial of Karen Read, setting the stage for opening statements expected to begin next week in Dedham. The case, which has gripped the Boston area and drawn national media attention, centers on the 2022 death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, who was found unresponsive in the snow outside a Canton home after a night out with friends.
Prosecutors allege that Read, O’Keefe’s girlfriend at the time, fatally struck him with her Lexus SUV and left him outside in freezing temperatures, leading to his death. The prosecution claims that Read, now in her early 40s, was intoxicated and angry after a dispute with O’Keefe when the incident occurred.
Read has consistently maintained her innocence, insisting that she is being framed by law enforcement officials connected to O’Keefe’s inner circle. Her defense team argues that the evidence points not to a hit-and-run, but to a cover-up involving other individuals present at the home where O’Keefe was allegedly headed before he died. The defense has hinted that a more extensive police corruption scandal may be at play, further fueling public interest and media scrutiny.
The case went to trial once before but ended in a mistrial in late 2023 after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The new jury, seated this week in Norfolk County Superior Court after a rigorous selection process, will now weigh the complex and contentious evidence in what has become one of Massachusetts’ most controversial recent homicide cases.
The jury selection process drew intense attention from both legal experts and the general public, with potential jurors grilled extensively on their exposure to pretrial publicity and their views on law enforcement. The court took extra precautions to ensure an impartial jury, given the emotionally charged nature of the case and the widespread media coverage it has received.
Supporters of Karen Read have staged rallies outside court hearings, alleging misconduct by local police and prosecutors and demanding full transparency. In contrast, O’Keefe’s family and supporters continue to press for justice, confident that Read is responsible for his death.
The central questions expected to dominate the trial include the timeline of O’Keefe’s death, the damage patterns on Read’s vehicle, conflicting witness statements, and possible gaps in the investigation. Forensic evidence and expert testimony are expected to play a major role, as both sides seek to persuade the newly seated jury of their narrative.
Legal analysts say the trial will be closely watched as a test of credibility for the Massachusetts criminal justice system. If Read’s defense team succeeds in casting reasonable doubt or exposing flaws in the police investigation, it could have implications far beyond this single case.
With jury selection now complete, all eyes turn to opening statements next week, where the prosecution and defense will lay out their cases in full. The trial is expected to last several weeks and include dozens of witnesses, including law enforcement officers, forensic experts, and individuals who were with O’Keefe and Read on the night of the incident.
