Background Of The Case

Karen Read Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Death of Boston Police Officer

Background of the Case

Karen Read, a 44-year-old woman from Mansfield, Massachusetts, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer. Read is accused of fatally striking O'Keefe with her SUV on November 14, 2020.

The Incident at the Waterfall Bar

According to prosecutors, Read, O'Keefe, and a group of friends had been drinking at the Waterfall Bar in Walpole, Massachusetts, prior to the incident. Witnesses have stated that an argument ensued between Read and O'Keefe at the bar before they left together in Read's SUV.

Read's Arrest and Trial

Read was arrested shortly after the incident and has been held without bail since November 2020. Her trial began on September 28, 2023, and has been ongoing for the past seven weeks.

Contentious Case

The case has garnered significant media attention and has been highly controversial. Read's defense attorney has argued that the collision was an accident, while prosecutors maintain that it was a deliberate act of murder.

Current Status of the Trial

Testimony resumed on Monday in the murder trial of Karen Read. The prosecution is expected to present its closing arguments in the coming days, followed by the defense. The jury is expected to begin deliberations soon.