Karen Read returns to court for final hearing before start of her murder trial

DEDHAM, Mass. — WATCH LIVE: Karen Read in court for final hearing before start of her murder trial

The Karen Read murder case returned to court Friday morning for a final hearing ahead of the start of her trial next week.

[ 25 Investigates: Impounded court files related to Karen Read case released following motion ]

Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone heard several last-minute motions from the prosecution and defense.

LIVE COURT UPDATES FROM TED DANIEL:

PREVIOUS STORY:

Prosecutors and Read’s defense team are expected to ask Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone to limit how much jurors hear about Aidan Kearney, the Massachusetts blogger known as Turtleboy, The Boston Globe reported.

Prosecutors said in a motion that they want to prevent “any reference” to Kearney and his blog postings, his support of Read, or his pending criminal charges, according to the newspaper.

Kearney is facing intimidation of a witness charges in connection with the Read case. He has pleaded not guilty.

'Turtleboy' blogger called to court 'Turtleboy' blogger called to court ('Turtleboy' blogger called to court)

Read is accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, by hitting him with her car after a party in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022.

On Tuesday, Cannone ordered the release of redacted versions of about one-third of the files requested in the motion. The released documents include Read’s legal team’s full motion to dismiss the case, as well as the Commonwealth’s opposition to that motion to dismiss.

Read’s lawyers say the Norfolk District Attorney’s presentation of the case was based on “flimsy speculation and presumption, underpinned by a questionable and biased investigation, and highly dubious physical evidence.”

The motion to dismiss is no longer in play for Read and her legal team, as it has already been denied.

The case is scheduled to head to trial on Tuesday, April 16.

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)

Officer Killed Girlfriend Trial FILE - Karen Read sits in court during jury selection for her murder trial at Norfolk County Superior Court, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. Read's trial is scheduled to begin Monday, April 29. (David McGlynn//New York Post via AP, Pool,File) (David McGlynn/AP)

Karen Read trial Day 1

Officer Killed Girlfriend Trial Karen Read, left, leaves Norfolk Superior Court with her attorney Alan Jackson, right, after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)

APTOPIX Officer Killed Girlfriend Trial Karen Read, right, is flanked by Massachusetts State Police while leaving Norfolk Superior Court after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)

Officer Killed Girlfriend Trial Karen Read leaves Norfolk Superior Court after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)

Officer Killed Girlfriend Trial FILE - Karen Read, of Mansfield, Mass., center, departs Norfolk Superior Court following a day of jury selection, April 17, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. Read's trial is scheduled to begin Monday, April 29. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (Steven Senne/AP)

Karen Read opening statements begin

Karen Read

Karen Read and Officer O'Keefe

Karen Read

Aidan Kearney, seen here in the green shirt, attends an August hearing in the Karen Read case

Karen Read supporters

Karen Read Karen Read, facing a murder charge in the death of an off-duty Boston police officer, was ordered held on $100,000 bail.

Karen Read

U.S. Attorney ‘does not object’ to release of letters with feds in Karen Read case

Karen Read

Karen Read new in court

Karen Read

read boston officer

Karen Read

Officer John O'Keefe

Karen Read John O'Keefe High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer

Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe (Boston Police Department)

Karen Read is arraigned in Stoughton District court accused of manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston Police officer John O'Keefe Karen Read is arraigned in Stoughton District court accused of manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston Police officer John O'Keefe

[ Everything you need to know about the Karen Read case ]

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW