The high-profile retrial of Karen Read, accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, continues to grip Massachusetts. Today, key witness Jennifer McCabe returns to the stand for further cross-examination in Norfolk Superior Court.
McCabe, who was with Read and others when O’Keefe’s body was found in the snow outside a Canton home in January 202, has been central to the prosecution’s case. She testified that Read admitted to hitting O’Keefe with her SUV, repeatedly saying, “I hit him, I hit him, I hit him,” shortly after the discovery. However, defense attorneys have challenged McCabe’s consistency, pointing to discrepancies in her statements and texts, and suggesting she played a role in a cover-up to frame Read
The defense maintains Read is innocent, claiming O’Keefe was fatally beaten by another officer at the party and that Read was the victim of a police conspiracy. The trial is a retrial after last year’s mistrial, with the jury previously deadlocked.
Today’s proceedings will likely focus on McCabe’s credibility and the interpretation of her testimony and digital evidence, including a controversial Google search she made about how long it takes to die in the cold. The outcome of this trial could hinge on how the jury views McCabe’s role and reliability.
Live coverage of the trial continues, as the courtroom drama unfolds with intense legal battles and emotional testimony
