Karen Read returns to court for final hearing before start of her murder trial

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DEDHAM, Mass. — WATCH LIVE: Karen Read in court for final hearing before start of her murder trial

The Karen Read murder case returned to court Friday morning for a final hearing ahead of the start of her trial next week.

Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone heard several last-minute motions from the prosecution and defense.

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Prosecutors and Read’s defense team are expected to ask Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone to limit how much jurors hear about Aidan Kearney, the Massachusetts blogger known as Turtleboy, The Boston Globe reported.

Prosecutors said in a motion that they want to prevent “any reference” to Kearney and his blog postings, his support of Read, or his pending criminal charges, according to the newspaper.

Kearney is facing intimidation of a witness charges in connection with the Read case. He has pleaded not guilty.

Read is accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, by hitting him with her car after a party in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022.

On Tuesday, Cannone ordered the release of redacted versions of about one-third of the files requested in the motion. The released documents include Read’s legal team’s full motion to dismiss the case, as well as the Commonwealth’s opposition to that motion to dismiss.

Read’s lawyers say the Norfolk District Attorney’s presentation of the case was based on “flimsy speculation and presumption, underpinned by a questionable and biased investigation, and highly dubious physical evidence.”

The motion to dismiss is no longer in play for Read and her legal team, as it has already been denied.

The case is scheduled to head to trial on Tuesday, April 16.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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