Karen Read trial updates: 'Unavoidable circumstances' derail day 15
Witness testimony in the second murder trial of Karen Read will not occur on May 13 as expected, a court spokesperson announced.
The trial of the Massachusetts woman accused of hitting her police officer boyfriend with her SUV and leaving him for dead was expected to enter its 15th day, but "unavoidable circumstances" paused the court proceedings, Jennifer Donahue, a spokesperson for Massachusetts state courts, said in an email without providing additional details.
Prosecutors were expected to call their next witness after Massachusetts State Trooper Yuri Bukhenik wrapped up his testimony on May 12 following three days on the stand. He told the court that her broken taillight led police to suspect 45-year-old Read of hitting her boyfriend, Boston Police Office John O'Keefe, with her Lexus.
Additionally, Bukhenik, a witness for the prosecution, said he was told by first responders at the scene that Read had said "I hit him," referring to O'Keefe. This alleged admission, along with the taillight, went on to "form the case" police had put together against Read, Bukhenik said.
Prosecutors say Read deliberately hit O’Keefe, 46, outside the home of a fellow cop and left him for dead in a drunken rage. Read’s lawyers say she was framed for O'Keefe's murder and, in opening statements, said the investigation was riddled with error, bias, incompetence and deceit.
Her first trial in 2024 ended in a hung jury.
In response to Bukheinik's testimony, Read's defense attorney launched a tense cross-examination and grilled Bukhenik about the integrity of his investigation and his former subordinate, Michael Proctor, who sent crude text messages during the case and was fired in March for unrelated reasons.
Trial expected to last 6 to 8 weeks
Read’s case in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, has turned into a yearslong whodunnit legal saga that has captivated true-crime fans across the country, spurring an array of podcasts, movies, and television shows.
Her trial has drawn supporters from both sides of the case and led Judge Beverly Cannone to issue an order barring people from demonstrating within 200 feet of the courthouse.
The first full day of testimony began April 23. Cannone estimated the trial could last between six and eight weeks. It's unclear how many additional witnesses will testify.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Contributing: Michael Loria and N'dea Yancey-Bragg