Significant hurdle cleared in Karen Read murder trial. Here are the latest developments
DEDHAM – The jury selection in the Karen Read murder trial was completed Wednesday at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham but the jury has not been sworn in yet.
As of Monday afternoon, 19 jurors had been seated for the trial. Defense attorney Alan Jackson told reporters the judge in the case, Beverly Cannone, wanted to seat 20 potential jurors so that up to four can be dismissed should any claims of hardship from serving be requested and approved, WCVB reports.
The final number of jurors picked stayed at 19 after five were excused for various hardships and five additional jurors were selected from a pool of 85 candidates, WCVB reports. The process took five days and included hundreds of potential jurors who were given a questionnaire and subject to interviews by the defense and prosecution.
The final jury will be reduced to 16, with 12 jurors and four alternates.
The 44-year old Mansfield resident is accused of backing into her boyfriend, Braintree native and Boston police officer John O'Keefe, 46, outside of a home in Canton, outside of which he was found dead several hours later, during a snowstorm in January 2022. She is charged with second-degree murder and other charges and has pleaded not guilty. She is free on $80,000 bail.
Her attorneys have said she is the victim of a cover-up, and that O'Keefe was assaulted inside the house, bitten by a dog and left outside in the cold to make it look like Read had hit him.
The trial began Tuesday, April 16, at the Norfolk County Superior Courthouse in Dedham. The case was paused both Friday, April 19, and this past Tuesday.
What potential jurors were asked
Prospective jurors were asked whether they had contact with any witnesses, whether they had heard about the case and whether they had formed an opinion about the case. They were then asked to complete a questionnaire, WCVB reports.
They were also asked whether they have ever been involved in a car crash, whether they have any connections to a drunk-driving incident or domestic violence relationship and whether they have ever protested in support or opposition to law enforcement.
Additionally, jurors were questioned individually out of earshot of the public, according to WCVB.
As jury selection continues, so does no-protest zone
In response to the constant presence of pro-Karen Read demonstrators, prosecutors sought to create a 500-foot no-protest area around the courthouse during the trial, arguing that it would help ensure a fair trial and protect witnesses entering and leaving the courthouse.
The judge overseeing the case, Beverly Cannone, reduced the "buffer zone" to 200 feet. She further ordered that any clothing or buttons expressing an opinion in the case be banned from inside the courtroom. Members of law enforcement in attendance are also barred from wearing their uniforms.
A justice of the Supreme Judicial Court upheld the decision, but that ruling is also under appeal.
'Turtleboy' and his impact on the the 'Free Karen Read' movement
Aidan Kearney, who operates a news blog under the moniker of "Turtleboy," brought attention to the case through an ongoing series of posts that he said points to the validity of the cover-up.
Kearney, who is facing more than a dozen witness intimidation charges connected to the case, was jailed for 60 days for violating his conditions of release after an ex-girlfriend, who is also a likely witness in the case against him, said he shoved her at her home after charges had been brought against him.
Prosecutors allege Kearney and Read have been in far more frequent contact with each other than either has admitted.
What's next?
With the jury seated, the actual trial can begin with opening statements, which are currently expected to happen Monday.
According to court documents, prosecutors plan to call to 87 witnesses during the trial. The defense plans to call up to 77. Some names appear on both lists, WCVB reports.
On Monday, prosecutors responded to the unusual decision to include District Attorney Michael Morrissey on the 77-name witness list submitted by the defense, according to WCVB.
"Defense counsel indicated they would call District Attorney Morrissey to testify about the 'conflict' the Canton police department had with the investigation, and the assignment of the detective unit of the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney's office," the prosecution wrote in Monday's filing.
Cannone told potential jurors on Tuesday that the trial is expected to last 6 to 8 weeks after the jury is seated.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Jury selection completed in Karen Read murder trial at Dedham court
