Federal Judge Upholds Buffer Zone for Karen Read Murder Retiral

Karen Read is undergoing a retrial for the second-degree murder of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, with jury selection completed and opening statements scheduled. The retrial follows a previous mistrial due to a hung jury, and Read's defense argues she is a victim of a cover-up, claiming O'Keefe was killed by someone else before his body was found in the snow. A federal judge recently upheld a buffer zone around the Norfolk Superior Court to prevent protests from influencing the trial, which was established after concerns arose during Read's first trial. This buffer zone, which keeps demonstrators over a block away, was challenged by supporters of Read who claimed it violated their First Amendment rights, but the judge ruled that it serves a significant government interest in ensuring a fair trial. The trial has attracted significant public attention, with ongoing debates about the implications of the buffer zone on free speech. As the trial proceeds, Read's defense has expanded, and the case continues to draw media scrutiny.