Court video & updates: Canton officers, firefighters testify on day 2 of Karen Read murder trial
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By Boston 25 News Staff
DEDHAM, Mass. — The trial of Karen Read, the woman who allegedly killed her Boston police officer boyfriend John O’Keefe by intentionally driving her SUV into him and leaving him to die in a blizzard outside of a home in Canton in 2022, opened Monday.
Defense attorney David Yannetti said during opening statements that Read was “framed for a murder she did not commit,” while prosecutors said a cracked taillight and her own words to firefighters that she “hit him” will prove she is guilty.
Saraf returned to the stand and Read’s other attorney, Alan Jackson, cross-examined him to begin the second day of proceedings
Fellow Canton Police Officer Stephen Mullaney, who also responded to Fairview Road in Canton on the night of O’Keefe’s death, was called to the stand next.
Mullaney, while being questioned by Yannetti, claimed that he never once heard Read state, “I did it” or “I hit him.” He also said he pieces of a broken taillight at the scene.
Canton Firefighter Timothy Nuttall was called to the stand just before 11:30 a.m. by the prosecution after Judge Beverly Cannone called for a short recess.
Nuttall told ADA Adam Lally he heard a woman say several times, “I hit him, I hit him, I hit him.” He said the woman who said it had blood on her.
Fellow Canton Firefighter Anthony Flematti was the fourth witness of the day to take the stand. He offered a brief amount of testimony before Judge Beverly Cannone ended the proceedings for the day.
Tuesday’s proceedings started at 9 a.m. and ran through 1 p.m. because this trial will have half days on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The court will not be in session on Wednesday, according to Cannone.
Live updates from Ted Daniel who is inside Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham:
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Read, 44, of Mansfield, faces several charges including second-degree murder in the death of John O’Keefe, 46, in 2022. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Paul O’Keefe told the court that Read was “screaming” and being restrained by staffers after John O’Keefe was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital.
“The defendant stated repeatedly, “I hit him, I hit him, I hit him,” said Lally.
Meanwhile, the defense maintains a different story.
Defense attorney David Yannetti said, “Karen Read was framed for a murder she did not commit.” He also said the relationship between Read and O’Keefe had soured.
Yannetti argued that close relationships between investigators and those in the Canton house on the night of O’Keefe’s death resulted in authorities focusing solely on Read.
Tuesday’s proceedings will run through 1 p.m. This case will have half days on Tuesdays and Thursdays.