This is the Day 1 of 31 trial report of the murder trial of Karen Read, accused of running over her cop boyfriend John O’Keefe and leaving him to die in the snow, designed to catch you up with the nucleus of the case efficiently!
Case Report
Factual background:
Karen Read was tried in Massachusetts over the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, who was found outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton on January 29, 2022, after a night of drinking with friends and acquaintances. Prosecutors alleged that Read struck O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV while reversing outside the home and left him in the snow. The defence argued that O’Keefe was not killed by Read’s vehicle and that the investigation failed to properly examine alternative explanations involving people connected to the home.
CHARGES:
1. 2nd Degree Murder. – Not Guilty
2. Manslaughter while operating a Motor Vehicle under the influence of Liquor. – Not Guilty
3. Leaving the Scene of an accident resulting in death. – Not Guilty
4. OUI – Operating Under The Influence – Guilty
Decided on 18 – June – 2024.
Victim(s): John O’Keefe (Deceased)
Date Of Murder: 29th January 2022.
Killing Incident Reported: 29th January 2022.
Courthouse: Norfolk County, Dedham, Massachusetts
Officers of the court
Judge:
Attorneys
Prosecution:
ADA Adam Lally
Defence:
David Yannetti
Elizabeth Little
Alan Jackson
MA v. Karen Read (2025) – Day 1 Trial Summary
Day 1 of the proceedings, initiated the prosecution’s presentation of evidence, establishing the immediate post-incident timeline and early morning communications. The court heard testimony from an initial responding firefighter/paramedic who detailed the physical state of the victim and statements made by the defendant at the scene at 6:00 AM. The session concluded with initial testimony from a friend of the victim, outlining the weather context, early morning distress calls, and physical observations of the defendant’s vehicle before court adjourned for the day.
Witness-by-Witness Summaries
Timothy Nuttall – Firefighter/Paramedic
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Responding emergency personnel who arrived at the scene at 6:00 AM to treat the victim.
Summary Of Testimony
Nuttall testified that his unit arrived at 6:00 AM, and Firefighter Flamatti acted as the lead paramedic checking the victim for signs of life. He observed the defendant running around with blood on her face; when questioned about the victim’s medical background, she stated, “I hit him, I hit him”. Under cross-examination, Nuttall detailed deep scratches on the victim’s arm and confirmed he was not suggesting the victim died from hypothermia. On redirect, he noted he had no recollection of an interview with Trooper Proctor, and subsequent recross rounds elicited no new facts.
Key evidence introduced!
- Medical observations of a hematoma on the victim’s right eye and deep scratches near the humerus where the bicep and tricep meet.
- Oral testimony identifying the defendant’s spontaneous statements at the scene: “I hit him, I hit him”.
Full report below!
Sources:
Karen Read, The Trial Channel, Youtube Channel, Playlist Available Online: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLq-6my_qlf-EPqV2fF7hxb69r25xWyou
