Karen Read Trial II: 2025

The links below are for the 2025 trial only. Use the general Search then search “Karen Read” for 2023 hearings, 2024 Trial and 2025 second trial hearings.

Day 1: Tuesday, April 16, 2025:

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Day 1, Part 1: Karen Read Trial II. Tuesday, April 16 2025

Opening Statements by Prosecutor Hank Brennan and Defense Attorney Alan Jackson.

  • Prosecutor Brennan states in the opening that they know exactly when John O’Keefe was hit by Karen Read’s Lexus based on “black box” data of the vehicle.

  • Defense Attorney Jackson states they will prove John O’Keefe was never hit by a vehicle.

  • First Witness of the Commonwealth: Timothy Nattall of the Canton Fire Department who was on the scene at Fairview where John O’Keefe was found.

Under Direct Testimony the witness states under what circumstances Read told him, “I hit him, I hit him.” Under cross the defense argues how this is possible if Read is not near the witness when those circumstances arise on the video presented in court.

Day 1, Part 2: Karen Read Trial II. Tuesday, April 16 2025

Defense Attorney Alan Jackson continues Timothy Nattall under cross

  • On redirect, Prosecutor Brennan uses video to show the circumstances the defendant said she hit him to the witness.

  • Prosecutor Brennan uses video of Karen Read interviews on her statements around “could I have hit him.”

Next witness for the Prosecution: Kerry Roberts, Canton Resident.

  • Testifies that John O’Keefe and the witness knew each other at Braintree high school but became closer after they both lived in Canton. John O’Keefe moved to Canton after both his sister and brother-in-law passed and he took over the care of his sister’s two children.

  • Under direct the witness testifies to a screaming call from the defendant saying John did not come home. Testifies Read said, “Kerry, Kerry, John’s dead” at 5AM.

  • Witness testifies that she called Canton police and hospitals to see if a man named John O’Keefe was injured in the area.

After the Jury leaves a Hearing on compliance

  • Prosecution states ARCCA communications with the defense have not been given over despite the court’s order for discovery. Needs information to cross ARCCA.

  • Prosecution says it plays by the rules and yet the defense wants to ambush the prosecution regarding new opinions and testing.

  • Judge wanted to know why text messages with ARCCA were deleted.

  • Defense Attorney Robert Alessi states they are in compliance. States texts are over 2 years old. All e-mails. All existing texts have been given. Attorney Alessi asserts you cannot be given an order of preclusion based on the prosecutions assertion that there must be more material. Defense was under no order to preserve the text of text message. The defense has never gotten communications between the State’s experts and its witnesses. States there is no basis for preclusion. You cannot be in violation of not turning over something that does not exist.

  • Argues the tight timeline was caused by Commonwealth. Runs a timeline regarding receiving material from the State’s experts. Argues it took the Commonwealth six months to release their experts report and it’s the defenses job to reply to that report when received. ARCCA worked for the US Government. The defense said ARCCA experts cannot figure out what the Commonwealth experts are trying to express in their report.

  • Argues robust compliance on discovery.

  • On ARCCA transparent on texts and emails.

Judge Beverly Cannone’s response:

  • Found the defense in violation of the reciprocal discovery and that it was deliberate. And this needs to be figured out before ARCCA can testify.

  • Will have a voider hearing Friday. Needs the witnesses Friday. Order for production of records.

NOTE: There has been a date change. The ARCCA experts will be on the stand for teh voider on Monday, April 28, 2025

Wednesday, April 16, 2025:

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Wednesday April 16 Motions:

  • Attorney Elizabeth Little for the defense on a “forensically sound” sallyport from January 29, 2022.

  • Motion on “the view” of seeing 34 Fairview Road where John O’Keefe was found January 29, 2022.

  • Prosecution on voir dire (determination of expertise) of Garrett Wing regarding bite imprint testimony for the defense.

  • Dr. Crosby for the prosecution bite expert regarding if the bites came from Chloe. (Household German Shepard)

  • Exhibits and “chalk” discussion.

  • Prosecution wants the use of a “reader” of texts between O’Keefe and the defendant, a male and female reading the parts.

  • ARCCA (Advanced Research and Crash Analysis. ), initially hired by the Department of Justice, leads to discovery disagreements.

  • No objection to video and visuals used in both the prosecution and defense openings.

  • Prosecution agrees the sustained findings on Trooper Proctor, Trooper Bukhenick, Lt. Tully can be brought in. Still in question is are findings on Canton Police officer, Kevin Albert.

  • Aidan Kearney’s attorney Bradl says his client will take the fifth if called to testify in the Read case. Judge states he can invoke his 5th Amendment right and thus can be present to report on the Read case since he will give no testimony if called. Kearney may not be present in court to report on the case when certain witnesses appear who are named in the still on-going witness intimidation case against Kearney.