Judge Bars Sandra Birchmore Case References in Karen Read Trial

Judge Beverly Cannone has ruled that the defense in Karen Read's murder retrial cannot reference the investigation into Sandra Birchmore's death, unless circumstances during the trial 'open the door' to such testimony. Prosecutors argued successfully that the Birchmore case is unrelated and introducing it would confuse the jury, as it involves different circumstances and much of the information would be inadmissible or confidential. Both cases, however, have drawn public attention due to alleged investigative failures by the Canton Police and Norfolk District Attorney's Office, and both were investigated by some of the same officers. Birchmore's death, originally ruled a suicide, is now a federal case against former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell, who is accused of killing her to conceal a sexual relationship. Read stands accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, outside a Canton home in 2022, though her defense claims she was framed. The judge's ruling means the Birchmore case will only be mentioned if it becomes directly relevant during the Read trial.