Massachusetts Judge Beverly Cannone set a Friday deadline for Karen Read’s defense team to turn over additional disclosures about the controversial crash reconstruction firm that is central to her defense as she faces a retrial on murder charges in the death of John O’Keefe.
Read, now 45, was dating O’Keefe when he died at 46 years old in January 2022. Prosecutors say she backed her Lexus SUV into him, then left him for dead in a Boston suburb during a blizzard.
She has pleaded not guilty and argued she is being framed. Her first trial ended with a deadlocked jury last year, and an important element of her defense was expert witness testimony from two members of ARCCA, the reconstruction firm, who said O’Keefe’s fatal injuries were not caused by her vehicle.
Cannone gave the defense until 5 p.m. Friday. Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday.
Officer John O’Keefe poses for his official headshot. O’Keefe’s girlfriend, Karen Reed, is currently on trial for murder after he was found dead outside a Massachusetts home in January 2022. (Boston Police Department)
“By April 18, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., the defendant is to produce to the Commonwealth any outstanding discovery,” Cannone wrote. “In addition, by April 18, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., the defendant must disclose to the Commonwealth any oral representation agreements or understanding regarding anticipated reimbursements or payments to or on behalf of ARCCA between any member of ARCCA and the defense team, including the defendant.”
By noon Monday, she added, the defense has to disclose any pending testing as well as the date of its expected completion and results.
