Currently on Trial: Karen Read and the Death of John O’Keefe
Posted by Trin | Case Files | Ongoing Trial | Massachusetts | May 2025
Introduction
We usually look back at cases with the clarity of time. But every now and then, one unfolds in real time—captivating the public, dividing opinions, and making every true crime corner of the internet light up. That’s exactly what’s happening right now with Karen Read.
She’s been called crazy, calculated, and a cold-blooded killer. But from this mom’s perspective? I think she’s innocent. Maybe a little chaotic, maybe not perfect—but not a murderer.
The Case
On January 29, 2022, Boston police officer John O’Keefe was found dead in the snow outside the home of another officer. He’d suffered blunt force trauma to the head. Karen Read—his girlfriend at the time—was later accused of backing into him with her Lexus SUV and leaving him to die during a snowstorm.
Prosecutors allege she was drunk, angry, and reckless. Karen claims she’s being framed—and that the real cause of John’s death is being covered up by a network of law enforcement officers protecting their own.
Key Trial Facts (So Far)
- 🧊 O’Keefe’s body was found around 6 a.m. in the snow with injuries that prosecutors say match a vehicle strike.
- 🍷 Karen and John had been out drinking the night before. She says she dropped him off at a party hosted by fellow officers and never saw him again.
- 📱 Karen’s phone and car show data indicating she turned around shortly after leaving—but she says it was because he wasn’t answering her texts.
- 💬 She allegedly said “I hit him. I hit him.” to first responders—but the defense says those words were taken out of context during a traumatic moment.
- 🛡️ Karen’s defense argues a cover-up—suggesting O’Keefe may have been injured or killed inside the house and placed outside later to frame her.
Public Reaction
This case is dominating TikTok, Reddit, and even the mom group chats. Supporters are rallying behind Karen with hashtags like #FreeKarenRead, accusing the DA and police of corruption and selective evidence handling. Others see her as manipulative, guilty, and playing the victim card.
But here’s the thing: being unlikeable doesn’t make you a killer.
A Mom’s Reflection (Trin's Take)
Is Karen a little messy? Absolutely. But so are a lot of us after two glasses of wine and a terrible relationship. What I see is a woman fighting for her life—not just legally, but emotionally and socially.
From the beginning, this case hasn’t smelled right. The timelines are fuzzy. The evidence feels conveniently arranged. And the way the “blue wall” has surrounded this case? Suspicious at best, corrupt at worst.
I’m not here to say Karen’s a hero. But I don’t believe she backed over the man she loved and drove away like it was nothing. That doesn’t feel like guilt—it feels like grief twisted by gossip.
Lessons We Can’t Ignore
- Women are allowed to be messy without being monsters.
- If law enforcement is involved, transparency should be doubled—not halved.
- Being emotional in the aftermath of trauma isn’t guilt—it’s human.
- Justice requires proof, not just vibes and blame.
Final Words
The Karen Read trial is still ongoing—and the truth may take more time than any of us would like. But watching this unfold as a mom, a woman, and someone who’s seen how easily women get vilified?
I’m watching closely. And I’m rooting for the truth to win—even if it doesn’t look polite in a courtroom.
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