Key Witness Testifies in Karen Read Murder Trial
In the ongoing trial of Karen Read for the murder of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, key witness Brian Higgins took the stand on Friday. Higgins, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), was present at a bar with Read, O’Keefe, and others on the night of O’Keefe’s death. Later, he attended a party at the home of Brian and Nicole Albert, where O’Keefe was found dead the next morning.
The defense team has suggested that several individuals, including Higgins and Brian Albert’s teenage son Colin, could have been involved in O’Keefe’s death. However, Higgins testified that he did not see O’Keefe or Read inside or outside the Albert home that night.
During his testimony, Higgins revealed that he had exchanged numerous text messages with both Read and O’Keefe. The defense presented some of these messages to the jury, highlighting the intimate nature of the conversations between Higgins and Read. In one exchange from January 15, 2022, Read confessed her attraction to Higgins, saying, “You’re hot. Feeling is mutual.” Higgins admitted to being sexually attracted to Read but denied having a romantic interest in her.
The defense also introduced text messages in which Read expressed dissatisfaction with her relationship with O’Keefe. She claimed that their relationship was deteriorating and accused O’Keefe of being unfaithful during a recent trip to Aruba. Furthermore, she expressed frustration over O’Keefe taking in his niece and nephew after their parents’ death, stating that she never wanted kids.
Higgins testified that Read eventually visited his residence in West Roxbury, but he denied any physical contact between them. He stated that their interaction consisted of a brief conversation about Read’s intentions.
During cross-examination, the defense attorney, Jessica Jackson, challenged Higgins’s credibility, suggesting that he was lying about certain aspects of his testimony. Jackson questioned Higgins about a phone log that showed a call from Brian Albert in the early hours of January 29, to which Higgins claimed it was a butt dial and that he had no recollection of answering or returning the call.
The trial was briefly halted when a juror complained of overheating, but proceedings resumed after a fan was brought into the courtroom. As of late afternoon, Higgins remained on the stand.
This trial continues to captivate public attention as the defense and prosecution present their cases. The question of who is responsible for John O’Keefe’s death remains unanswered, and the jury will ultimately decide Karen Read’s fate. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
