Judge rules on several motions, says Karen Read murder trial will be moved into smaller courtroom

DEDHAM, Mass. — The judge presiding over the high-profile murder trial of Karen Read, the woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, heard and ruled on several motions Thursday ahead of Monday’s opening statements.

The motions by the prosecution and defense come one day after a pool of hundreds of jurors was whittled down to a 19-person jury for the trial.

Judge Beverly Cannone most notably confirmed that the trial would be moved to a smaller courtroom after Read’s attorneys expressed concern over the layout of the room where jury selection was held.

Read’s attorneys, David Yannetti and Alan Jackson, had asked Cannone to move the location of the jury box so jurors could more clearly see the faces of witnesses when testimony begins because the current setup of the court violates Read’s “constitutional right to confrontation because numerous members of the jury will be unable to observe the faces of the witnesses who testify against her.”

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Karen Read’s lawyers want jury box moved

Cannone noted that only media, trial participants, and family would fit in the new courtroom.

Cannone also ruled that Read would not be allowed on jury views connected to the case due to security concerns.

Read is charged with running down John O’Keefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in the town of Canton on Jan. 29, 2022. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a collision in connection with O’Keefe’s death.

Read’s defense has argued that she is being framed and that O’Keefe was beaten and attacked by a dog inside the home of another Boston police officer. Prosecutors claim a piece of hair found on the back of Read’s Lexus SUV implicates her in O’Keefe’s death.

“It’s been 26-27 months of hell,” said William Read. “My daughter is factually innocent. She is being framed.”

When opening statements get underway Monday at 10 a.m., the defense and prosecution will each get 45 minutes to present their cases, according to Cannone. Neither side will be allowed to use exhibits during opening statements.

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Fatal hit-and-run: Karen Read, 41, of Mansfield, Mass., is charged with manslaughter in the Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, death of Boston police Officer John O’Keefe. O'Keefe, 46, was off duty at the time of his death. (Boston 25 News, Boston Police Department)

Yannetti and Jackson were also permitted to use a third-party culprit defense during the trial, not opening statements, as long as it’s “developed” through witness statements and evidence, meaning Cannone is allowing an argument from the defense that someone else killed O’Keefe.

Cannone is also allowing testimony from O’Keefe’s nephew and niece about alleged relationship issues Read and O’Keefe had been dealing with, as well as text messages from O’Keefe about plans to break up with Read.

Cannone questioned hundreds of prospective jurors over five days before the hearing of these motions. The jurors have not yet been sworn in, but there is a plan for 12 regulars and four alternates when the trial begins. It’s not clear how 19 jurors will be reduced to 16.

A buffer zone outside the Dedham court is also being challenged by demonstrators and an appeal is being heard by the Massachusetts Supreme Court.

For nearly a year leading up to the trial, Read supporters had gathered on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse with ‘Free Karen Read’ signs and clothing, and her pretrial hearings were packed with spectators.

Before jury selection started, Cannone ordered a 200-foot buffer zone around the courthouse and restrictions on megaphones and clothing to shield jurors from outside influences.

The Massachusetts Supreme Court recently ruled that that buffer zone can remain, but demonstrators claim the buffer zone is a violation of their First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

The prosecution plans to call as many as 87 witnesses when testimony begins, including 23 members of law enforcement. The defense has submitted 77 potential witnesses including John O’Keefe’s father and Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey.

Read’s trial is expected to last up to eight weeks.

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