The Karen Read case returned to court on Friday for a pre-trial hearing focused on several key motions, including the admissibility of a journalist’s off-the-record interview notes and a disputed Google search. These issues are crucial for the upcoming retrial, scheduled for April 1, 2025, after the first trial resulted in a hung jury. Judge Beverly Cannone presided over the hearing, addressing arguments from both the prosecution and defense.
One of the primary points of contention revolved around handwritten notes from an interview conducted by journalist Gretchen Voss for Boston Magazine in 2023. The interview was agreed upon as “off-the-record,” but Judge Cannone previously ruled that prosecutors could access the unedited recordings and notes. Voss’s lawyer, Robert Bertsche, argued against this decision, citing the potential breach of trust and damage to journalistic integrity. Judge Cannone acknowledged the concern but maintained that the communication with the defendant was critical to the case and suggested potential redactions.
Another significant debate centered on the admissibility of testimony from defense expert witness Richard Green regarding a controversial Google search made by Jen McCabe, a key figure in the case. The search, related to how long it takes for someone to die in the cold, is a point of contention due to conflicting timestamps. Prosecutor Hank Brennan questioned Green’s credentials and methodology, while defense lawyer Robert Alessi argued that the prosecution’s own witnesses had not challenged Green’s findings during the first trial. Judge Cannone ultimately decided against holding an evidentiary hearing for Green, opting to rule on the motion to exclude his testimony without further proceedings.
The hearing also addressed a motion from the defense seeking reimbursement for over $12,000 in travel expenses for a defense expert. Additionally, the defense plans to file another motion to dismiss in the coming weeks, alleging government misconduct. This motion underscores the ongoing tension and complex legal maneuvering surrounding the case. Judge Cannone emphasized the importance of staying on schedule for the April 1, 2025 retrial and praised the jury commissioner’s office for their efforts in securing jurors.
This week marked the somber three-year anniversary of John O’Keefe’s death. O’Keefe, a Boston police officer and Read’s boyfriend, was found dead in the snow in Canton, Massachusetts. His family released a statement expressing their profound grief and continued pursuit of justice. The medical examiner determined O’Keefe’s cause of death to be a combination of blunt force trauma to the head and hypothermia.
Read, a 44-year-old financial analyst, maintains her innocence, pleading not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death. She alleges a complex cover-up involving law enforcement to frame her for O’Keefe’s death. The upcoming retrial will be closely watched as both sides present their cases and seek a resolution in this high-profile case. The intense scrutiny surrounding the trial underscores the public’s interest in the Karen Read case and the search for justice for John O’Keefe.
