Live updates: Karen Reed murder trial opening statement
Updated: April 29, 2024 10:05 AM EDT
Opening statements are scheduled for Monday in the trial of Karen Reed, the Massachusetts woman charged in the 2022 death of her Boston police officer boyfriend. Jury selection for the high-profile trial began nearly two weeks ago. Reed, 43, of Mansfield, has pleaded not guilty to charges including second-degree murder. Her prosecutors said she hit her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with her car outside her home in Canton on January 29, 2022, during a snowstorm after she had been drinking. A cover-up involving members of multiple law enforcement agencies. They allege O’Keefe was beaten and bitten by a dog inside the home, then left outside. Judge Beverly Canone ruled Thursday that the defense is allowed to argue that someone else killed O’Keefe, but not during opening statements. Live updates: 9:40 a.m.: Jurors arrive 9:39 a.m.: Members wearing pink to show support as Mr. Reed enters court with his lawyer and family 9:07 a.m.: Adam Prosecutor Larry arrives at Norfolk High Court. He is scheduled to give an opening statement 8:36 a.m.: Police are stationed along High Street. Reed supporters gather outside the buffer zone 6 a.m.: Local and national media gather outside the courthouse What you need to know about the case: Karen Reed, 43, of Mansfield, faces charges including second-degree murder has been charged with. Her prosecutors say she hit her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with her car during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022, outside her home in Canton after drinking alcohol. She maintains her innocence. Reed and her legal team claim she is the victim of a cover-up, and she plans to provide third-party defense. O’Keefe claims she was beaten and bitten by a dog inside the home, then left outside. In pretrial motions, prosecutors disclosed the existence of text messages suggesting a “romantic involvement” between Reed and her friend who was present at the scene. O’Keeffe visited on the night of the incident. Other documents also suggest troubled relations between Mr. Read and Mr. O’Keefe. Mr Reid is also suspected of having been in frequent contact with controversial blogger Aiden Carney, known as ‘Turtleboy’, who is currently being charged in a related case. The jury selection process in the case took place over five days in court, with 19 jurors selected Wednesday from a total of 401 jurors. That number will likely be reduced to 16 before the jury is officially seated. Last week, her attorneys filed a motion arguing that the current layout of Norfolk County Superior Court violates their constitutional right to confrontation because several jurors cannot see the faces of witnesses. In a response filed Monday, prosecutors noted that the courtroom has been in use for more than a century and is the largest in the county. Cannone said Wednesday that he has a “firm belief” that the current jury seating arrangement is legal. But on Thursday he repeatedly indicated the trial would be moved to a smaller courtroom. Prosecutors plan to call up to 87 witnesses during the trial, according to court documents. The defense plans to summon up to 77 people. His name is also on both lists. Ahead of the trial, which sparked contentious debate and protests, a judge ordered a “buffer zone” to be created around the courthouse. A Supreme Court of Justice judge upheld the decision, which is on appeal, and the SJC agreed to hear the case “expeditiously.”
Opening statements are scheduled for Monday in the trial of Karen Reed, the Massachusetts woman charged in the 2022 death of her Boston police officer boyfriend.
Jury selection for the high-profile trial began nearly two weeks ago.
Reed, 43, of Mansfield, has pleaded not guilty to charges including second-degree murder. Her prosecutors say she hit her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with her car during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022, outside her home in Canton after drinking alcohol.
Her defense has long revolved around allegations of a cover-up involving officials from multiple law enforcement agencies. They allege O’Keefe was beaten and bitten by a dog inside the home, then left outside.
Judge Beverly Canone ruled Thursday that the defense is allowed to argue that someone else killed O’Keefe, but not in opening statements.
Live updates:
- 9:40 a.m.: Jurors arrive.
- 9:39 a.m.: Ms. Reed enters the courtroom with her lawyer and family members wearing pink as a show of support.
- 9:07am: Prosecutor Adam Lally arrives at Norfolk High Court.he will give an opening statement
- 8:36 a.m.: Officers are stationed along High Street.Read supporters are clustered outside the buffer zone
- 6 a.m.: Local and national media gather outside the courthouse.
What you need to know about this:
- The suspect, Karen Reed, 43, of Mansfield, is charged with second-degree murder. Her prosecutors say she hit her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with her car during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022, outside her home in Canton after drinking alcohol. She maintained her innocence.
- Mr. Reed and his defense team argue that she is the victim of a cover-up and plan to have a third party represent her as the culprit. They allege O’Keefe was beaten and bitten by a dog inside the home, then left outside.
- In pretrial motions, prosecutors revealed text messages suggesting a “romantic involvement” between Reid and O’Keefe and a friend who was there the night of the incident. Other documents also suggest troubled relations between Reade and O’Keeffe.
- Mr Reid is also suspected of having been in frequent contact with controversial blogger Aiden Carney, known as ‘Turtleboy’, and is currently facing charges in connection with the incident.
- The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks after the jury is seated.
The jury selection process in the case took place over five days in court, with 19 jurors selected from a total of 401 jurors on Wednesday. That number will likely be reduced to 16 before the jury is officially seated.
Last week, her attorneys filed a motion arguing that the current layout of Norfolk County Superior Court violates their constitutional right to confrontation because several jurors cannot see the faces of witnesses. In a response filed Monday, prosecutors noted that the courtroom has been in use for more than a century and is the largest in the county.
Canone said Wednesday that he had a “firm belief” that the current jury seating arrangement is legal, but on Thursday he repeatedly suggested the trial could be moved to a smaller courtroom. .
Prosecutors plan to call up to 87 witnesses during the trial, according to court documents. The defense is expected to call up up to 77 players, with several names on both lists.
Ahead of the trial, which sparked controversy and protests, a judge ordered a “buffer zone” to be created around the courthouse. A Supreme Court of Justice judge upheld the decision, which is on appeal, and the SJC agreed to hear the case “expeditiously.”
