Jury selection began on Tuesday for the second trial of Karen Read, who is facing charges of murder and other offenses for an alleged hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, during a blizzard in January 2022.
The 45-year-old’s first trial ended with a hung jury, and the judge later rejected multiple requests to dismiss the case.
This time around, nearly half of the first group of potential jurors told the judge they already have an opinion on the case.
Cannone on Monday ruled that Read’s defense cannot try and blame Albert’s nephew, Colin Albert, for the crime.
Karen Read and John O’Keefe pose for an undated photograph. (Karen Read)
The defense has proposed other potential third-party suspects, including Brian Albert and ATF Agent Brian Higgins, both of whom were present at the bar and subsequent gathering.
According to the judge, the defense is not allowed to mention these individuals during the opening statements. However, they are permitted to present evidence during the trial that they believe implicates these individuals instead of Read.
Witness Brian Albert testifies during the first trial of Karen Read at Norfolk County Superior Court, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)
Cannone also sided with prosecutors and blocked testimony from a former FBI agent named Michael Easter, who was expected to scrutinize alleged missteps from police in the investigation.
The lead investigator, former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, was fired last month after an investigation into lewd text messages he sent about Read while probing O’Keefe’s death, which were read in court during her first trial.
Although he is no longer a trooper, his name is on the witness list the second time around – along with 149 other people.
