Karen Read Trial: Conspiracy Theories, Cover-Up Accusations Fuel Division Ahead of Ex-Officer’s Killing Probe

After several months of courtroom battles filled with conspiracy theories and accusations of a cover-up, the trial for the killing of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe is set to commence today in Norfolk County south of Boston. Karen Read, his former girlfriend who was also a finance professor at one point, has been charged with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident following her boyfriend’s death on January 29, 2022. The circumstances surrounding O’Keefe’s passing have left residents in Canton and neighboring towns divided as they debate between two possible scenarios: whether he was beaten to death inside his friend’s house or fatally struck by Read’s black Lexus SUV outside the residence. Protesters have accused local authorities of a cover-up aimed at protecting the homeowner, leading them to storm city council meetings demanding answers. Some residents formed private Facebook pages and frequented blogs discussing intricacies related to that fateful night, transforming what started as a local homicide case into a national sensation. The jury selection process has been complicated by the high degree of publicity surrounding the crime. Dan Medwed, criminal law professor at Northeastern University, said: “It’s fair to say a large number of people in Massachusetts know about this case.” Lawyers for Read have argued that she is being framed and believe O’Keefe entered his friend’s house on Fairview Road only to get into an altercation with someone there before getting beaten up to unconsciousness. In contrast, the prosecution alleges that a drunken Karen struck her boyfriend while arguing after which they both got out of Read’s vehicle outside her home and she left him in the snowy cold to die. The defense team has claimed that one of two female acquaintances, the sister-in-law of the houseowner, is part of an alleged cover-up aimed at protecting those inside the residence by framing Karen for the crime; a Google search found on her phone indicated “how long does it take to die in cold” hours before O’Keefe was discovered. However, the woman has not been charged with any crimes and her attorney Kevin Reddington denies these allegations as baseless. The investigation into Read’s arrest and prosecution by US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts follows last week’s filings by both sides regarding evidence they want to present or exclude from trial, including details about a December 2021 trip taken by Karen and O’Keefe in Aruba. Last month, an investigation was launched into a state trooper involved in the case; however, it is unclear whether this alleged violation has any connection with Read’s charges. Canton residents also demanded independent scrutiny of the local police force through protests held following last November’s special town meeting that focused on Karen’s trial. Meanwhile, pretrial hearings have attracted protesters wearing “Free Karen Read” sweatshirts and carrying placards with similar messages; Judge Beverly Cannone ordered a 200-foot buffer zone around the courthouse to keep demonstrators away from proceedings due to documented cases of witnesses being shouted at or confronted outside court. However, supporters argued that this restriction infringes upon their First Amendment rights. As Read’s trial gets underway today in Dedham, Massachusetts, several intriguing factors remain shrouded in mystery and controversy surrounding the case.