Court video & updates: Canton officers, firefighters testify on day 2 of Karen Read murder trial
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By Boston 25 News Staff
DEDHAM, Mass. — The trial of Karen Read, the woman who allegedly killed her Boston police officer boyfriend John O’Keefe by intentionally driving her SUV into him and leaving him to die in a blizzard outside of a home in Canton in 2022, opened Monday.
Defense attorney David Yannetti said during opening statements that Read was “framed for a murder she did not commit,” while prosecutors said a cracked taillight and her own words to firefighters that she “hit him” will prove she is guilty.
Saraf returned to the stand and Read’s other attorney, Alan Jackson, cross-examined him to begin the second day of proceedings
Canton Police Officer Steve Saraf (Canton Police Officer Steve Saraf)
Fellow Canton Police Officer Stephen Mullaney, who also responded to Fairview Road in Canton on the night of O’Keefe’s death, was called to the stand next.
Mullaney, while being questioned by Yannetti, claimed that he never once heard Read state, “I did it” or “I hit him.” He also said he pieces of a broken taillight at the scene.
Canton Police Officer Stephen Mullaney (Canton Police Officer Stephen Mullaney)
Canton Firefighter Timothy Nuttall was called to the stand just before 11:30 a.m. by the prosecution after Judge Beverly Cannone called for a short recess.
Nuttall told ADA Adam Lally he heard a woman say several times, “I hit him, I hit him, I hit him.” He said the woman who said it had blood on her.
Canton Firefighter Timothy Nuttall (Canton Firefighter Timothy Nuttall)
Fellow Canton Firefighter Anthony Flematti was the fourth witness of the day to take the stand. He offered a brief amount of testimony before Judge Beverly Cannone ended the proceedings for the day.
Canton Firefighter Anthony Flematti (Canton Firefighter Anthony Flematti)
Tuesday’s proceedings started at 9 a.m. and ran through 1 p.m. because this trial will have half days on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The court will not be in session on Wednesday, according to Cannone.
Live updates from Ted Daniel who is inside Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham:
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Read, 44, of Mansfield, faces several charges including second-degree murder in the death of John O’Keefe, 46, in 2022. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Paul O’Keefe told the court that Read was “screaming” and being restrained by staffers after John O’Keefe was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital.
“The defendant stated repeatedly, “I hit him, I hit him, I hit him,” said Lally.
Meanwhile, the defense maintains a different story.
Defense attorney David Yannetti said, “Karen Read was framed for a murder she did not commit.” He also said the relationship between Read and O’Keefe had soured.
Yannetti argued that close relationships between investigators and those in the Canton house on the night of O’Keefe’s death resulted in authorities focusing solely on Read.
Tuesday’s proceedings will run through 1 p.m. This case will have half days on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Fatal hit-and-run: Karen Read, 41, of Mansfield, Mass., is charged with manslaughter in the Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, death of Boston police Officer John O’Keefe. O'Keefe, 46, was off duty at the time of his death. (Boston 25 News, Boston Police Department)
Karen Read trial Day 1
Officer Killed Girlfriend Trial Karen Read, left, leaves Norfolk Superior Court with her attorney Alan Jackson, right, after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
APTOPIX Officer Killed Girlfriend Trial Karen Read, right, is flanked by Massachusetts State Police while leaving Norfolk Superior Court after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
Officer Killed Girlfriend Trial Karen Read leaves Norfolk Superior Court after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
Officer Killed Girlfriend Trial FILE - Karen Read, of Mansfield, Mass., center, departs Norfolk Superior Court following a day of jury selection, April 17, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. Read's trial is scheduled to begin Monday, April 29. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (Steven Senne/AP)
Officer Killed Girlfriend Trial Karen Read leaves Norfolk Superior Court after the opening day of her trial, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by intentionally driving her SUV into him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa/AP)
Karen Read opening statements begin
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Karen Read and Officer O'Keefe
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Aidan Kearney, seen here in the green shirt, attends an August hearing in the Karen Read case
Aidan Kearney, seen here in the green shirt, attends an August hearing in the Karen Read case
Karen Read supporters
Karen Read Karen Read, facing a murder charge in the death of an off-duty Boston police officer, was ordered held on $100,000 bail.
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U.S. Attorney ‘does not object’ to release of letters with feds in Karen Read case
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Karen Read new in court
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Officer John O'Keefe
Karen Read John O'Keefe High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer
Karen Read John O'Keefe High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer
Karen Read John O'Keefe High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer
Karen Read John O'Keefe High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer
Karen Read John O'Keefe High bail for girlfriend charged with manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston police officer
Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe (Boston Police Department)
Karen Read is arraigned in Stoughton District court accused of manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston Police officer John O'Keefe Karen Read is arraigned in Stoughton District court accused of manslaughter in death of off-duty Boston Police officer John O'Keefe