Karen Read's second murder trial starts April 1

Karen Read is set to return to court for important discussions before her second murder trial, which begins on April 1. Her legal team and the prosecution have filed many new motions and responses since the last hearing on March 7. These cover various matters, including disputes over witnesses and the defense's strategy. In her first trial, the judge created a buffer zone to limit protests and established a dress code for the courthouse. Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan aims to prevent the defense from claiming that someone else was guilty of the crime. He also questions the relationship between Read’s defense and certain witnesses involved in a previous federal investigation that found no wrongdoing. Several witness-related issues still need to be resolved. Some attorneys are asking for hearings so that the court can hear from witnesses before they testify before the jury. The trial may start without completely settling all these matters. In her first trial, some hearings took place while the jury was not present. Karen Read, 45, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges. Prosecutors accuse her of hitting her boyfriend, John O'Keefe, with her vehicle during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022. The defense claims someone else killed O'Keefe, alleging a cover-up involving law enforcement. Her first trial lasted from April 29 to July 1, when jurors could not reach a decision, leading to a mistrial. Read’s defense continues to fight against the charges in various courts. A federal investigation related to the case has concluded without any charges against police. The second trial will start with jury selection on April 1.