Karen Read, 45, of Mansfield, Massachusetts, is currently undergoing her retrial for the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. The incident occurred on January 29, 2022, during a snowstorm in Canton, Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege that Read accidentally struck O’Keefe with her SUV following a night of drinking, leading to his death from hypothermia and blunt force trauma.
In her defense, Read contends that she was framed as part of a law enforcement cover-up. She asserts that O’Keefe was beaten inside the home of fellow officer Brian Albert and subsequently left outside to die in the snow. This argument is supported by allegations of biased conduct by lead investigator Michael Proctor, who was later fired for unprofessional behavior.
The first trial in 2024 ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury. Key developments in the retrial include:
- Jury Selection: Begun on April 1, 2025, it is expected to be a lengthy process, potentially taking weeks to complete.
- Defense Strategy: The defense has been restricted from naming certain individuals, such as Colin Albert, as alternative suspects. Additionally, the judge ruled that the defense cannot argue that Colin Albert could have been responsible for O’Keefe’s death as part of their third-party culprit defense.
- Witness Testimony: Former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, who was dismissed for his role in the initial investigation, is listed as a witness for the defense.
For a more in-depth understanding of the case, the Investigation Discovery docuseries “A Body in the Snow” provides comprehensive coverage.