Title: Key Testimony and Cross-Examination Unfold in Ongoing Karen Read Murder Trial
Witness Testimony Reveals Last Moments Before Officer O’Keefe’s Death
In the ongoing trial of Karen Read for the murder of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, Colin Albert, the nephew of the homeowners where O’Keefe was found unresponsive, took the stand once again on Thursday. Albert, a college student, had attended a party at his aunt and uncle’s house on Fairview Road, where O’Keefe’s death occurred. Prosecutors assert that Read killed O’Keefe by running him over with her SUV after a night of drinking in January 2022. However, Read’s defense has claimed that O’Keefe died after a fight inside the house.
Colin Albert’s testimony on Wednesday revealed that he had never seen O’Keefe enter the house and had a friendly relationship with him. The defense has attempted to implicate Albert and others in O’Keefe’s death. Furthermore, Colin’s friend, Allie McCabe, testified that there were text messages between her and Colin discussing a plan for her to pick him up shortly after midnight.
Defense Attempts to Discredit Testimony and Implicate Others
During cross-examination, the defense presented data from a tracking app used by McCabe’s family, showing that she returned to the area of Canton High School after dropping off Colin at his house, rather than immediately going to sleep as she claimed. Additionally, the defense has sought to implicate Colin and several other individuals in O’Keefe’s death.
Emotional Testimony and Alleged Harassment
McCabe’s emotional testimony shed light on the harassment her family has faced from supporters of Karen Read. People have shown up at her house, and she has received emails from individuals connected to the case. This testimony adds an emotional dimension to the trial, highlighting the impact on those involved beyond the courtroom.
Motion to Strike Testimony Denied
As the trial resumed on Thursday, defense attorney David Yannetti requested that McCabe’s tearful testimony be stricken from the record, arguing that it was prejudicial to the defense and Read. However, Judge Beverly Cannone denied the motion, stating that Yannetti had crossed a line in his questioning. The jury will not be instructed to ignore McCabe’s emotional testimony.
Colin Albert Faces Intense Cross-Examination
Colin Albert faced rigorous cross-examination on Thursday morning. He stated that he had spoken to the prosecutor to prepare for his testimony but did not speak with his parents. The defense questioned him about his memory and whether he had been instructed to say “I don’t remember” when nervous or unwilling to answer.
The defense also revealed a photo of Colin as the ring bearer in Michael Proctor’s sister’s wedding. Proctor served as the lead state police investigator in the Read case and had interviewed Colin as part of the investigation. The defense aimed to highlight a potential bias due to this connection.
Bruises and Videos Presented as Evidence
The defense showed the jury a photo of Colin and a group of friends taken less than a month after O’Keefe’s death, which revealed bruises on Colin’s right knuckles. Colin explained that he had slipped on an icy driveway, but the defense suggested that the injuries appeared consistent with those sustained in a fight. Colin insisted that he had never been in a fight before, except with his brothers.
Furthermore, the defense presented videos from when Colin was 16-years-old, where he made aggressive statements. Colin clarified that these videos were related to club hockey, which he does not play, and were a response to derogatory texts from another group of players.
A Developing Story: Stay Tuned for Updates
The trial continues to unfold, with significant testimonies and cross-examinations shedding light on the events leading up to Officer O’Keefe’s death. As the defense seeks to implicate others and raise doubts about the prosecution’s case, the jury must consider the evidence presented and the credibility of witnesses. The case remains ongoing, and as more details emerge, 7NEWS will provide the latest updates on-air and online.
