Karen Read's murder trial hearings face key decisions

Karen Read's murder case returned to court on Tuesday. The judge, Beverly Cannone, issued a stern warning to Read's defense team. She expressed concerns about the team's honesty regarding expert witnesses they used in the first trial. Read, 45, from Mansfield, is accused of killing her boyfriend, John O'Keefe, who was a Boston police officer. This incident took place during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022. Read's first trial ended in July 2022 when the jury could not reach a verdict, resulting in a mistrial. In the latest court session, Judge Cannone criticized Read's attorneys for misleading the court about their relationship with two expert witnesses. They initially claimed the witnesses were independent but later admitted to paying them. This led to serious doubts about the lawyers' honesty and integrity. Read's second trial is set to start on April 1. Her attorneys have requested a delay until the end of April, and the prosecution is in agreement. However, the judge has shown reluctance to postpone it, as a large jury pool is already in place. Read has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges. The defense argues that someone else was responsible for O'Keefe's death, claiming there was a cover-up involving law enforcement. A federal probe into the matter concluded without any charges filed against police. Jury selection for Read's second trial is scheduled to begin on April 1.